Kuala Lumpur Embassy Aware Of Indonesian Policemen's Arrest

Jakarta, Sept 1 (Antara) - Indonesian Embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur are aware of the arrest of two Indonesian policemen in Kuching, Malaysia, for their alleged involvement in drug dealing activities, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa stated here on Monday. "We are aware of this matter. We have established contact with the Malaysian authorities regarding the legal formalities of this case," noted Marty. It was earlier reported that two middle-level Indonesian police officers were arrested in Kuching, Malaysia, for their alleged involvement in a narcotics syndicate. Two of the suspects, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Idha Endri Prastiono and Chief Brigadier M.H. Harahap, were found to be members of the West Kalimantan police command. Chief of the West Kalimantan regional police command Brigadier General Arief Sulistyanto confirmed the arrest on Sunday (August 31) stating that he is still awaiting further information regarding the developments in the case, which is now being handled by the Bukit Aman police in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "It is clear is that the incident has damaged what the Indonesian police have done so far to improve the institution," he remarked at a press conference. He revealed details about having received the information at around 7:30 p.m. local time, on Friday (August 29), while on his way to Singkawang from Mempawah, that the Malaysian police had arrested three people in a hotel following the arrest of a suspect at Kuala Lumpur`s international airport. Brigadier Arief stated in connection with the case that he had informed the national police chief and sent a team on Saturday to Kuching. "They have met the Malaysian police while the case is being handled by the Bukit Aman police in Kuala Lumpur," he added.