Mob attacks Malaysian consultate in Pontianak
Mob attacks Malaysian consultate in Pontianak
JAKARTA (JP): A mob of about 50 people attacked the Malaysian
consulate in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, smashing windows and
throwing rotten eggs during a flag-raising ceremony to mark
Malaysia's National Day on Thursday.
No one was injured in the attack, which followed last Sunday's
incident at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta when a hand grenade
exploded after being hurled into the parking lot.
The crowd displayed a banner and distributed leaflets
condemning Malaysia for mistreating Indonesian maids, and
accusing the country of being involved in timber theft along the
border between Kalimantan and Malaysian Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysia and Indonesia have squabbled in recent months over
alleged timber theft in Borneo, with Indonesia accusing Malaysian
loggers and soldiers of crossing into Kalimantan to log, while
Malaysia insists the area is within its borders.
There also have been a spate of reported attacks this year on
Indonesian maids in Malaysia. Several Malaysian employers have
been brought to court.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Friday said
it "regretted and condemned" the attack.
In an attempt to prevent a recurrence of such an incident, the
Foreign Ministry said it will immediately take steps in
coordination with police to ensure the security and protection of
foreign representatives.
Protest
Malaysia has protested the attack on the consulate, with
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi calling for tighter
security at Malaysian missions abroad.
"Obviously there are some people who are not happy with
Malaysia for some unknown reasons," he was quoted as saying by
the Star daily.
Mohamed Nizam Ramli, Malaysia's vice-consul in Pontianak, said
the mob threw stones, damaged the guardhouse and threatened to
torch the consulate.
He said a truckload of Indonesian policemen called to the
consulate did nothing to stop the mob until about an hour after
the attack began, when he arrived at the building.
"I suspect the group was instigated by a politician," he was
quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily.
Malaysian authorities said on Friday they were relying on
Indonesia to protect its diplomatic missions after the two
attacks in a week.
Minister of Defense Najib Razak said he was saddened by
Thursday's attack on the Malaysian consulate.
Najib, quoted by Bernama news agency, described it as
unexpected given the close ties between the two countries. He
said he hoped Indonesia would ensure the security of Malaysia's
missions.
Najib, speaking in the Malaysian town of Pekan, said he
believed security would be strengthened, but added that Malaysian
diplomatic staff should always be on high alert.
Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Syed Hamid Albar said:
"It is as if there is a plot targeting our missions overseas."
He added that he would contact his Indonesian counterpart over
the incidents and urged Jakarta to strengthen security.