RI settles financial payment for KL office

RI settles financial payment for KL office

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab
said on Sunday that the Indonesian government had resolved the
disturbances at the Malaysian consulate in Pontianak, West
Kalimantan, which had been besieged by rallies for several days.

Alwi revealed that the government had remunerated the
financial demands of protesters, who the alleged mistreatment of
their family members working as maids in Malaysia.

"I received a report on Saturday night that the Pontianak city
police chief has paid the claim requested by the protesters who
had threatened the consulate," Alwi told The Jakarta Post.

He also claimed that an agreement had been signed in which the
protesters pledged not to repeat their actions.

"We settled the problem with the family and paid them some Rp
59 million, then held a traditional ceremony to end the dispute,"
Alwi said.

"We hope that the family members of the Malaysian mission will
return to Pontianak on Monday," Alwi remarked, while adding that
the government always places high priority on the safety of staff
of foreign missions in the country.

Malaysian consulate family members were evacuated on Thursday,
following the advice of local authorities, after a series of
rallies in front of the consulate office.

Malaysian foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said earlier, the
evacuation was a precautionary step taken in response to the
latest developments in the border town that threatened the safety
of the Malaysian consulate staff.

The consulate will remain open as closing the office would
unnecessarily affect diplomatic relations.

Albar on Sunday warned that ties between the two countries
would be strained if the safety of Malaysia's missions in
Indonesia is compromised.

"Attacking our consulates in Pontianak does not in any way
help resolve problems the Indonesians are facing here, but can
cause a rift between the two countries," Albar said in Kuala
Lumpur, as quoted by AFP.

"We hope Indonesia will take appropriate action and advise its
people to use the law and existing channels," he continued.

It was also reported that the Malaysian consulate in Medan,
North Sumatra, faced similar threats following legal action taken
against Indonesian fishermen caught trespassing in Malaysian
waters.

A Malaysian court has begun trying the 39 fishermen, who were
arrested after a two-hour chase on Feb. 2 in which the Malaysian
navy fired on their boat and killed one crewman.(dja)