Malaysia quivers over RI ethnic and religious strife

Malaysia quivers over RI ethnic and religious strife

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Ethnic and religious violence in Indonesia is unsettling neighboring Malaysia, fanning fears a rush of immigrants could undermine regional stability.

Analysts and diplomats said Malaysian policymakers were concerned Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid might prove unable to put an end to sectarian violence which officials say has killed more than 1,600 people in the past year.

"Malaysia is in tremendous trepidation because Indonesia is out of control," said Bilveer Singh, a professor in Singapore and expert on Indonesia.

A Western diplomat, referring to Wahid's extensive overseas trips since his October election, said: "Malaysian officials are concerned about Wahid and his extensive travels. They wonder if he can pull it off."

A clash last week between two groups of Indonesian workers near Malaysia's new administrative capital and the subsequent arrest of more than 150 illegal immigrants also have fanned concerns.

Long a supportive neighbor, Malaysia has been anxious over Indonesia since the fall of President Soeharto in May 1998. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in power for 19 years, was long a supportive neighbor of Soeharto.

A week before Soeharto stepped down under pressure, Mahathir exonerated the Indonesian leader and all but blamed the International Monetary Fund for provoking deadly riots.

Mahathir's discomfort grew when his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim, echoing Soeharto's opponents, began denouncing cronyism, corruption and nepotism, and calling for the winds of change.

Mahathir sacked Anwar in September 1998 and accused his former protege of trying to topple his government with Indonesia-style riots.

Bilateral relations were strained in 1998 when then Indonesian President B.J. Habibie expressed concern about Anwar's treatment following his indictment and arrest. Kuala Lumpur made no secret of its irritation with Habibie's comments.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said earlier this month that Western-style democracy pushed on Indonesia had led to "nothing short of a political cataclysm".

He said: "The tragic circumstances are still unfolding for the world to see. It is clear that the floodgates of liberal democracy do not necessarily usher in peaceful societies."

Stratfor, a business intelligence group in Austin, Texas, said "Indonesian instability poses a threat to Malaysia, due both to its geographical proximity and the possibility of Indonesia's ethnic and religious conflicts spreading into Malaysia".

In the decade before Asia's financial crisis erupted in mid- 1997, Malaysia took in hundreds of thousands of Indonesian workers who filled a huge employment gap.

Many have since either left Malaysia or been deported, but officials remain worried over a possible influx.

Abdullah said earlier this month that authorities might tighten employment rules, noting the government had been receiving "tens of thousands of applications" from companies seeking to hire foreign labor.

"We should not allow this situation to persist," he said.

The New Straits Times said in an editorial on Saturday that "the flow of illegal immigrants must be stemmed because of the strain it is placing on the country".

Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, director-general of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Kuala Lumpur, said instability in Indonesia was a threat to Malaysia.

"If Indonesia falls apart or becomes unstable, all will become very concerned," he said. "With respect to immigration, Malaysia is the most vulnerable."

James Wong, a former member of parliament and columnist for the Chinese-language Sin Chew Jit Poh newspaper, said Malaysia's concerns went beyond immigration.

"The events in Indonesia are like the French revolution's impact on Europe," he said. "The whole paradigm is shifting. Malaysia's leaders are very anxious."