Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Tension is reportedly gripping the Indonesia-Timor Leste border, where hundreds of residents have attempted for the past two days to stop the neighboring country from installing a solar-powered electricity network on a disputed 80-hectare area.

"Indonesian residents living at the border are very angry because the location should be void of civilian activities because it is still under dispute," North Central Timor Vice Regent Aloysius Kobes said when asked for confirmation on Wednesday.

He said that together with Border Security Unit commander Let. Col. Ricky Lumintang and regency police deputy chief Comr. Junirahmadi, he had just returned from the disputed area to appease the crowd, comprising residents of Haumeni Ana village, Bikomi Nilulat district.

According to Aloysius, the Indonesian government will urge Timor Leste to stop the power installation on the disputed land to prevent an escalation of the conflict. "The people of North Central Timor have so far shown patience and restraint," he said.

Separately, Lumintang said he had communicated with the commander of the Timor Leste border police to coordinate a meeting so as to take immediate measures to stop the activities in the disputed area.

"I have contacted the Timor Leste Consulate and conveyed the condition in the field. Hopefully, the Timor Leste government will show goodwill to secure the disputed area together," said Lumintang.

In a press release, Timor Leste border police post commander Alexandre Pinto said that according to information he received from his superiors, the electricity project was located in Timor Leste territory.

"We have not breached the agreement. The power installation is carried out in Timor Leste territory. The installation has been carried out since March. If there are objections from Indonesia, it should go through existing mechanisms, but don't inflame the situation by bringing military troops to the disputed location," he said.

Timor Leste, previously called East Timor, was part of Indonesia until a 1999 referendum resulted in its independence.

The two countries have yet to settle disputes over some enclaves around the border, namely the Noel Besi/Citrana area to the north of Kupang regency (1,009 hectares), the Dilumi/Memo area (37 ha) and the Bijael Sunan-Oben area (141 ha) in Belu regency and the Haumeni Ana area in North Central Timor (80 ha).