Indonesia apologizes to Malaysia over flag-burning protesters

Indonesia apologizes to Malaysia over flag-burning protesters

Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia's ambassador apologized on Monday after protesters in his country burned Malaysian flags in a dispute over an offshore oil field, the national news agency reported.

About 50 protesters last week shouted "Crush Malaysia" outside Kuala Lumpur's embassy in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, while others burned Malaysian flags in Makassar, South Sulawesi province.

Indonesian Ambassador H. Rusdihardjo criticized the protesters, saying "their action was really unbecoming," Malaysia's Bernama news agency reported.

"I apologize in the name of (my) entire race," Rusdihardjo was quoted as saying. "We hope this will be the last (of) such incidents."

Rusdihardjo was speaking after a meeting with members of the ruling United Malays National Organization's youth wing, which voiced its objection to the burning of Malaysian flags.

Tensions over the offshore oil fields flared up last month when Malaysia awarded oil exploration rights in an area of the Sulawesi Sea also claimed by Indonesia.

Both countries sent navy vessels there, and accused each other of trespassing.

Government leaders later agreed to work together to resolve the dispute peacefully. A technical team is scheduled to study the competing claims on March 22 in Indonesia.

The oil field blocks are near Sipadan and Ligitan islands, long disputed by both neighbors.

The International Court of Justice gave Malaysia sovereignty over the islands in 2002. But Indonesia says Malaysia's sea territory extends only 19 kilometers from the islands.