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