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.