By Teoh El Sen and Fazy Sahir - Free Malaysia Today
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians staying in Indonesia are on the alert but are also calm following threats by Indonesian nationalist group — the People’s Bastion for Democracy (Bendera) — to start a “sweeping” operation to "deport" all Malaysians and even shave their heads.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians staying in Indonesia are on the alert but are also calm following threats by Indonesian nationalist group — the People’s Bastion for Democracy (Bendera) — to start a “sweeping” operation to "deport" all Malaysians and even shave their heads.
Members of the Bendera group had on Monday hurled human faeces at the Malaysian Embassy and defiled the Malaysian flag in protest against the detention of three Indonesian maritime officers by Malaysian authorities in disputed waters near Riau a week ago.
The National Association of Malaysian Students in Indonesia told FMT that the 6,000-odd students all over Indonesia, including about 800 in Jakarta, are safe.
"So far we have not heard of any 'sweeping' operation being conducted. This protest group is mostly played up in the media. However, we do advise students, mainly in Jakarta, to stay low and avoid places we call hotspots.
“For example, in Jalan Diponegoro where the Bendera office is located, they would sometimes mount 'roadblocks' to look out for Malaysians when police are not around," said its deputy chairman Mohd Nazaluddin Mat Nazir.
He said the association is working closely with the Malaysian Students Department, adding that security is not a serious problem.
"Bendera is only a small group. We have our standard operating procedure: whenever a protest happens, we stay low for awhile... But on the whole, Indonesia is a very safe place," Nazaludin said.
However, he said this year the Merdeka day celebrations would be a muted affair due to the “heat”.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Malaysian Students in Indonesia president Ahmad Farid Asyraf Ramli said the situation in Jakarta is under control.
However, he said a notice was issued by the Malaysian Embassy on Monday informing all students to stay alert at all times.
"We are advised not to go out to public places alone,” he said.
No cause for alarm
Malaysian Students Department director Dr Junaidi Abu Bakar said the situation was stable.
"But we continue to monitor areas where 'sweepings' may happen," he said.
"All these incidents in Indonesia are caused by provocation and propaganda of the mass media, NGOs and politicians.”
A syariah student at the Institusi Islam Negeri Araniri, in Acheh, Zaim Irshad, 25, said nothing unusual has occurred.
Meanwhile, Plantation company P T Sarimas Group group general manager J Suparmaniam said Indonesia is a peaceful country and there is no cause for alarm.
"There is no danger here. We expatriates are safe as the government treats us very well. In Jakarta, the population is about the same as Malaysia, so naturally there are those small groups who cause unnecessary troubles," said Suparmaniam, a Malaysian.
He has lived in Indonesia for nine years, staying in places such as Jakarta, Pontianak, and Kalimantan.
The National Association of Malaysian Students in Indonesia told FMT that the 6,000-odd students all over Indonesia, including about 800 in Jakarta, are safe.
"So far we have not heard of any 'sweeping' operation being conducted. This protest group is mostly played up in the media. However, we do advise students, mainly in Jakarta, to stay low and avoid places we call hotspots.
“For example, in Jalan Diponegoro where the Bendera office is located, they would sometimes mount 'roadblocks' to look out for Malaysians when police are not around," said its deputy chairman Mohd Nazaluddin Mat Nazir.
He said the association is working closely with the Malaysian Students Department, adding that security is not a serious problem.
"Bendera is only a small group. We have our standard operating procedure: whenever a protest happens, we stay low for awhile... But on the whole, Indonesia is a very safe place," Nazaludin said.
However, he said this year the Merdeka day celebrations would be a muted affair due to the “heat”.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Malaysian Students in Indonesia president Ahmad Farid Asyraf Ramli said the situation in Jakarta is under control.
However, he said a notice was issued by the Malaysian Embassy on Monday informing all students to stay alert at all times.
"We are advised not to go out to public places alone,” he said.
No cause for alarm
Malaysian Students Department director Dr Junaidi Abu Bakar said the situation was stable.
"But we continue to monitor areas where 'sweepings' may happen," he said.
"All these incidents in Indonesia are caused by provocation and propaganda of the mass media, NGOs and politicians.”
A syariah student at the Institusi Islam Negeri Araniri, in Acheh, Zaim Irshad, 25, said nothing unusual has occurred.
Meanwhile, Plantation company P T Sarimas Group group general manager J Suparmaniam said Indonesia is a peaceful country and there is no cause for alarm.
"There is no danger here. We expatriates are safe as the government treats us very well. In Jakarta, the population is about the same as Malaysia, so naturally there are those small groups who cause unnecessary troubles," said Suparmaniam, a Malaysian.
He has lived in Indonesia for nine years, staying in places such as Jakarta, Pontianak, and Kalimantan.
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