Indonesia 'Too Low Profile' towards Malaysia

Jakarta, Indonesia (News Today) - National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Governor Muladi said the Indonesian government’s attitude towards Malaysia had so far been "too low profile."

"We must not be too low profile. We must sometimes show our real power," he said here on Wednesday.

His comment followed the arrest recently of three Indonesian fisheries officers by Malaysian police after the former had seized Malaysian fishermen who had been caught poaching in Indonesian waters. Muladi said because the Indonesian government had always been extremely tolerant and too low profile, Malaysia had become more arrogant towards Indonesia.

He said "we have been extremely tolerant. We must lodge a strong protest so that such an incident will not happen again. Malaysia must not demonstrate such arrogance."

Muladi also criticized the country’s Sea Security Coordination Agency (Bakorkamla) which he said was incapable of safeguarding the country’s coasts and marine territory.

"We should form a coast guard force because Bakorkamla is not strong enough. We need a sea and coast guard that is strong and covers 13 offices. Now each office works by itself while Bakorkamla is not effective," he said.

House Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso meanwhile has asked Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Djoko Suyanto and National Police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri to take firmer action against Malaysia.

"I have asked the defense minister, the TNI commander, the police chief and the commander of the naval force assigned at the border with Malaysia not to hesitate to seize Malaysian boats, arrogant marine police officers or anyone entering the country’s sea territory illegally," he said.

"To the foreign minister I also appealed not to be idle. Warn the Malaysian authorities against making provocations that could damage the two countries’ relations," he said.

Priyo said the government had not been responsive and firm against Malaysia.

"This time they have gone too far. Malaysian officials have too often degraded us. As one of the House vice speakers, I am disappointed about the government having been unresponsive, not firm and failed to react in a way that would made us proud," he said.

He said showing civility did not mean the government must tolerate other countries’ impudent behavior. "Our government’s authority is waning."

Source : kompas

Posted in: