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ollowing maneuvers by Malaysian war boats and planes in Ambalat waters, Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu says he is ready with the Operasi Perisai Sakti (Operation Invincible Shield).

He said that Malaysian forces were frequently illegally entering the Indonesian territorial waters located at the eastern coast of Kalimantan when the country was off guard.

'€œNow we have jet fighters ready in Makassar [South Sulawesi],'€ he told reporters on Thursday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Ryamizard said the Indonesian Military (TNI) is currently running the operation, which involves five jet fighters and three war ships, to attack the Malaysian craft.

'€œIf they enter [Indonesian territory] then we will attack. [TNI] knows how to guard [the country'€™s territory],'€ said the retired Army general who once served as Army chief of staff.

Ambalat is a 15,235 square kilometer maritime area located off the coast of East Kalimantan, which both Indonesia and Malaysia claim to be theirs.

In 2009, the two countries became embroiled in a row over Ambalat, with the Indonesian government accusing its counterpart of breaching the borders on frequent occasions.

Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to reopen diplomatic discussions to settle the dispute a year later.

The Indonesian government has recorded that Malaysian war craft have entered the country'€™s territory in Ambalat nine times this year.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry revealed that it has sent seven diplomatic notes this year to the Malaysian government to protest air maneuvers conducted by the country.

But the ministry expects the tension to continue as neither country has settled all the border issues related to Ambalat.

'€œWe still have our claims in the territory while Malaysia also sets their own borders,'€ said Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir.

He said that to officially send a protest the ministry requires details on each intrusion incident, including time and location.

Arrmanatha said that the government has appointed a special envoy to negotiate the issue with Malaysia.

'€œThe Foreign Ministry'€™s commitment is to accelerate a settlement on the [Ambalat] maritime borders,'€
he said.

Along with the diplomatic notes, the ministry is also considering bringing up the Ambalat border dispute to higher level official meetings, such as between ministers or presidents.

State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Marciano Norman said that Indonesia and Malaysia should refrain from shows of force related to the Ambalat border dispute.

'€œI think both countries should not be too provocative concerning Ambalat because it will disadvantage both countries,'€ he said.

Earlier, TNI commander Gen. Moeldoko said he would prefer diplomatic approach to resolve the Ambalat dispute.