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