Violence, Provocations on Malaysian Interests in Indonesia Unacceptable - Malaysian FM

PUTRAJAYA, June 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia could neither accept acts of violence on its interests in Indonesia, nor the provocative remarks and statements made by several parties against the former, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman. He said the acts of violence by a group of protesters, believed to represent 'Pemuda Pancasila', in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Kuningan and Malaysia Hall in Menteng, Jakarta on June 22, as well as the provocative remarks by a member of the Indonesian Council of Representatives in a television programme on June 21, should be censured. "It is most regrettable that the wild acts and provocative comments were made, following unfounded accusations and misunderstanding of a plan to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the Mandailing community which originated from Sumatra to Malaysia. "The programme was not intended to mean the cultural heritage originated from Malaysia," he said in a statement here on Sunday. Anifah said the action by a group of protesters resulted in causing hurt to a security guard at the Malaysian Embassy in Malaysia Hall, while another guard was slightly injured. Besides the injuries sustained by the two security guards who were Indonesian nationals, the violence caused damage to Malaysia Hall and its surrounding areas, as well as posed threat to the staff and their families staying there. "Based on the special relations and mutual benefits long established in the past between Malaysia and Indonesia, the Malaysian Government believes the Indonesian Government should take measures in handling aggressive and provocative acts," noted Anifah. He said the Malaysian Government had previously requested that its premises be protected from any threat, in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. Meanwhile, Wisma Putra has summoned the charges d'affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for a meeting on Monday, on the said incidents. -- BERNAMA