RI should stop burning Malaysian flag

RI should stop burning Malaysian flag

MALAYSIA: Indonesian leaders should stop citizens from burning the Malaysian flag over an offshore oil field dispute between the two nations, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Saturday.

About 50 protesters shouted "crush Malaysia" outside the embassy in Jakarta last week, while others burned Malaysian flags in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, to protest Kuala Lumpur's decision to award exploration rights in an area of the Sulawesi Sea also claimed by Indonesia.

Badawi welcomed an apology on Monday by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia H. Rusdihardjo for the flag-burning.

Tensions flared last month after Malaysia awarded the exploration rights and both countries deployed navy vessels to the Sulawesi Sea, accusing the other of trespassing. Government leaders later agreed to work together to resolve the dispute peacefully.

The oil field blocks are near the Sipadan and Ligitan islands, the sovereignty over which were given to Malaysia in 2002 by the International Court of Justice. But Indonesia says Malaysia's sea territory extends only 19 kilometers (12 miles) offshore. -- AP