Malaysia goes ahead with East Timor seminar

JAKARTA (JP): A seminar on East Timor organized by Malaysian non-governmental organizations went ahead on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, amidst warnings from Indonesia that it could deteriorate bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

The one-day forum was organized by the Malaysian Action Front, a private umbrella association for around 30 local non- governmental organizations.

In Jakarta, Saturday, the Armed Forces (ABRI) sent signals that such a meeting could harm bilateral relations and accused the Malaysian organizers of trying to discredit the Indonesian government and military by holding the forum.

ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said he understood that the forum was planning to screen a video tape of the Nov. 12, 1991 incident in Dili, the capital of East Timor, and feared that the footage would be manipulated to serve their needs and objectives.

"We fear the forum could upset the solidarity and the good relationship between the two neighboring countries," he said, adding that the forum runs counter to the ASEAN solidarity.

ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted yesterday as saying that his government was not aware of plans to hold an international forum on East Timor in Kuala Lumpur, the national Bernama news agency reported.

Abdullah said the government had no knowledge of any plan by the Malaysian Action Front to hold such a forum in Kuala Lumpur, nor had the plan been given the government's approval.

Malaysia's policy of non-interference in the East Timor issue was clear and known to Jakarta, he said.

The Kuala Lumpur meeting came closely on the heels of an international conference on East Timor in Manila. This conference turned into a major controversy as Indonesia launched an official protest against the Philippine government, which in turn tried to stop the meeting with little success.

Syarwan recalled that Malaysia had spoken out against the conference in Manila and urged Kuala Lumpur to take a similar stand on the one being held on its home soil.

Indonesia's official reaction to the forum in Kuala Lumpur this time was more limited. (rms)