KL boosts border patrols before RI polls<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia will increase patrols along its
\nborders and coastlines to ensure illegal immigrants do not flood
\nthe country during the run-up to Indonesia's general elections,
\nnews reports said Monday.<\/p>\n
\"We hope there will be no untoward incident,\" Deputy Home
\nMinister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir was quoted as saying by the
\nNew Straits Times daily.<\/p>\n
\"However, we are prepared for any eventuality. We pray the
\npeople of Indonesia will have a peaceful campaign,\" Abdul Kadir
\ntold reporters.<\/p>\n
Last week, the Malaysian government sought Indonesia's help to
\ncheck the influx of immigrants, who were expected to slip into
\nMalaysia illegally to avoid the possibility of pre-election
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Thousands of families, many of them ethnic Chinese, fled to
\nMalaysia last year during political violence in Indonesia. Many
\nalso fled to neighboring Singapore, professing their intention to
\nreturn as soon as situation was back to normal.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Ambassador HBL Mantiri in Singapore said on Sunday
\nhundreds of Chinese-Indonesians from Jakarta and several other
\nmajor cities in Java would be arriving in the island city-state
\nbeginning Monday.<\/p>\n
\"Rumors about the possibility of an outbreak of unrest before
\nand during the campaigning period could have prompted them to
\nleave for Singapore, and Jakarta-Singapore air tickets were
\nalready sold out,\" he said.<\/p>\n
General elections are scheduled for June 7 and campaigning
\nwill begin May 19.<\/p>\n
The election is seen as a test of democratic reforms that
\nPresident B.J. Habibie launched after the tumultuous downfall
\nlast year of his authoritarian predecessor, President Suharto.
\nMalaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Habibie were
\nscheduled to meet Thursday on the Indonesian island of Batam.<\/p>\n
Reports last week also said many Indonesians are seeking peace
\nfrom the campaigns in Batam.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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