Ary Hermawan, Jakarta – The police say they will take action against ultra-nationalist groups who attempt to "raid" Malaysian nationals in the capital, following a series of spats between the neighboring countries over alleged cultural "theft" and border disputes.
The Relawan Ganyang Malaysia (Anti-Malaysia Volunteers) stopped motorists and pedestrians travelling along Jalan Dipongoro in Central Jakarta on Tuesday in a search for Malaysian expatriates. The incident has concerned Malaysia, which has summoned Indonesia's Ambassador, Da'i Bachtiar, to clarify the incident and assure the safety of its citizens living in Indonesia.
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry issued Wednesday a statement urging the Indonesian government "to take the necessary actions in order to ensure the welfare and well-being of Malaysian citizens in Indonesia are taken care of, as well as to ensure that such aggressive actions of certain extremists in Indonesia are curtailed immediately."
Da'i, a former national police chief, contacted Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri to convey Malaysia's concern, the statement said, adding that Indonesia had assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of Malaysian nationals.
Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Nanan Sukarna, said on Thursday the police could not ban citizens from expressing their opinions, but made it clear they would not tolerate flag-burnings and the interrogation of members of the public.
Nanan, however, played down Tuesday's bullying by the nationalist groups, saying the media should not hype such incidents. He added that there had been no official request from the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta to boost security near their premises, although the activists said they planned to conduct the next rally near the embassy. "We will do our job as usual," he said.
Teuku Faizasyah, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, urged all parties to help ease the mounting anti-Malaysian sentiment, which could jeopardize bilateral relations.
"A sense of nationalism can be channeled in other ways, such as fighting for the legal recognition of national cultural heritage," he said.