KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Indonesian lawmakers have ordered a check on markers that separate Kalimantan from Sabah and Sarawak following violent protests in Jakarta over allegations that Malaysia “stole” 1,400 hectares of land from the republic.
In the ongoing row that threatens to aggravate already tense relations between the two neighbours, Indonesia’s Parliament approved yesterday a check on the Borneo border markers by its defence and home affairs commissions.
“I have approved a visit by Commissions I and II to track border areas that do not have [boundary] markers where they should be.
“We will ask the government to take extraordinary steps to protect the nation. We won’t accept arguments that this is a trivial issue,” the Jakarta Globe quoted Priyo Budi Santoso, a House Deputy Speaker, as saying.
Both governments have denied any land grab and have said that any issue can be resolved by returning to previously agreed borders.
But reports said that over 600 protesters in Jakarta have caused damage to the Malaysian Embassy there in two days of protests.
The protesters have been hurling wood, bamboo and eggs into the embassy compound.
Deputy defence commission chief Tubagus Hasanudin had accused Malaysia last week of stealing 1,400 hectares of land by destroying border markers along Kalimantan.
Indonesian MPs also said they received reports of Malaysian border patrol officers evicting Indonesians in the area and groups destroying boundary markers.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman yesterday called for Indonesian MPs to “stop making wild accusations.”
“We are the victims because this is about Indonesian politics and they use Malaysia as a target. I consider this cheap and irresponsible politics,” he said.
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