Farouk Arnaz – National Police on Tuesday warned they would take firm action against a group of Indonesians who were apparently putting the final touches to a plan to invade Malaysia and wage war, a police spokesman told the Jakarta Globe.

People's Democratic Defense, or Bendera, had announced that Oct. 8 was their D-Day to avenge all the wrongs committed against Indonesia by its neighbor.

Established during this year's presidential election, the group has attracted public attention with protests calling on Indonesians to "kill Malaysians."

Last month, the group set up roadblocks in Menteng, Central Jakarta, in an failed attempt to detain Malaysian citizens.

"We will certainly take firm action if we find they have violated any laws, such as carrying sharp weapons," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna said, adding that any dispute should be resolved rationally.

According to Mustar Bona Ventura, the group's coordinator, the group's anti-Malaysian stance was not motivated solely by claims that the neighboring country had stolen Indonesia's culture like Balinese pendet dance, batik and food.

Mustar said that ownership claims of Indonesian islands, the abusive treatment of migrant workers and an insulting rewrite of Indonesia's national anthem sparked the group's reaction.

Mustar said Bendera had already recruited more than 1,200 members and expects to sign up at least 300 more. The group said it recruited 600 volunteers in Greater Jakarta alone.

On Oct. 8, they have planned for 1,500 Bendera troops to leave for Malaysia by air, land and sea, he said, refusing to elaborate further.

The group also plans to deploy a second batch of troops at a later stage, he said, adding that Bendera would work with Indonesian migrant workers and students in Malaysia to help boost its numbers.