Y
Yuan Shao
Guest
Wednesday August 25, 2010
Group threatens to launch a ‘sweep’ of Malaysians
By AMY CHEW
[email protected]
JAKARTA: Indonesian nationalist group — the People’s Bastion for Democracy (Bendera) — which threw human faeces at the Malaysian Embassy here, is planning a “sweeping” operation against Malaysians starting today.
The group said it planned to “deport” Malaysians in protest against alleged violation of Indonesia’s sovereignty by Malaysia. “We will conduct a sweeping operation for Malaysians in the Senayan area. We will shave their heads before deporting them,” Mustar Bona Ventura, coordinator for Bendera, declared in a telephone interview with The Star.
Mustar said Bendera had surveyed the movements of Malaysians and noted that many Malaysian tourists visited the Senayan area which was home to several large shopping malls. “We will move in a convoy of 100 motorcycles,” he boasted. Last year, Bendera made headlines when the group conducted sweeps against Malaysians in Jakarta. It also threatened to invade and attack
Malaysia over the abuse of Indonesian domestic helpers. On Monday, Bendera threw human faeces at the Malaysian Embassy and defiled the Jalur Gemilang in protest against the detention of three Indonesian maritime officers by Malaysian authorities in disputed waters near Riau a week ago.
At the same time, seven Malaysian fishermen were also arrested by Indonesian authorities for allegedly fishing in Indonesian waters. All men were subsequently released. Following the faeces-throwing incident, police arrested three Bendera members who were released yesterday without being charged.
Critics have turned on the Government and Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, accusing him of being “weak” in dealing with Malaysia.
“People are angry not only with Malaysia but also at our government and President for not being firm in dealing with Malaysia,” said Indonesian journalist Rudy Madanir.
President Yudhoyono said border talks were going on to solve the territorial dispute facing the two countries. “This is an era of cooperation, not war. Nevertheless, if it concerns our territory and sovereignty, we will do whatever we can (to defend national integrity),” Yudhoyono was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.
