Malaysia boosts patrols near Aceh to stop refugees fleeing

Malaysia boosts patrols near Aceh to stop refugees fleeing
fighting

Associated Press
Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian authorities said Wednesday they have increased patrols
along the border with Indonesia's Sumatra island to intercept
people who try to may flee fighting in Aceh province.

"We are concerned that if the situation in Aceh becomes
chaotic, some of the Acehnese may resort to entering our country
illegally," Malaysia's national police chief Norian Mai was
quoted as saying by the Bernama national news agency.

Norian said Malaysian marine police have stepped up patrols to
guard against an influx of illegal arrivals from Aceh. He said so
far no one had been intercepted.

Indonesia's police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has suggested that
Malaysia close its border near Aceh to prevent rebels from
escaping, Bernama reported from Jakarta.

Malaysia has urged Indonesia to restore peace in Aceh as soon
as possible, warning that prolonged fighting could undermine
stability in the region.

The Indonesian campaign was launched after peace talks in
Tokyo fell apart when the rebels rejected Jakarta's demands to
lay down their weapons, drop their independence bid and accept