Tensions between Malaysia and Indonesia are warming up again after the arrest of three Indonesian marine officers an apparent border dispute.
The three officers were in Bintan Riau Islands waters When they were arrested on Friday by the Malaysian Marine Operations Force, According To Aji Sularso, director general of the supervision of the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
The three officers were in Bintan Riau Islands waters When they were arrested on Friday by the Malaysian Marine Operations Force, According To Aji Sularso, director general of the supervision of the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
He said the officers were arrested shortly after the detention of seven Malaysian fishermen belonging to a group of five aboard boats illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. "Malaysia said it was their territory, but they are our waters," Aji insisted on Sunday.
The three were part of a five-strong team when they patrol the fishermen found. Two officers took seven of the fishermen to Sekupang, Batam, with three on board fishing vessels, where they were arrested.
Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that the incident took place in Kota Tinggi waters, on the southeast coast of Johor state.
"The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. when the 15 fishermen, between the ages of 23 and 63, four nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Punggai in [Johor] before they were approached by an Indonesian fisheries enforcement boat and detained," Kota Tinggi police Supt. Osman Mohammed Sebot was quoted as saying.
Initial reports also said that Malaysians are fired at the Indonesian patrol boat, but officials denied.
"The Malaysian police fired only warning shots," said Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister of Indonesia's political, legal affairs and security.
Most reports said that after the warning shots were fired, the Indonesian patrol boat fled to Batam with seven of the detained fishermen.
Widyarka Ryananta, social and cultural information counselor at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia said it would give official version of events today.
Aji also denied reports Malaysia had offered the seven Malaysian fishermen for three Indonesian officers trade.
In a press conference on Sunday, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Mohammed Fadel said Jakarta would send a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government over the incident.
"Three steps will be taken by our government to this problem," said Fadel.
In the first place, "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reprimand, or in diplomatic language a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government and police crossed into Indonesian territory."
Secondly, the government would also release the three officers, and thirdly it would ask Malaysia to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the matter should be resolved diplomatically to avoid straining relations.
Fadel said that there was at least 10 violations of the border with Malaysian and Chinese fishing boats this year, and 14, such as violations of boats by Malaysia last year. "We will work with the navy and water police to help us with border security," he said.
Indonesia is very sensitive to its territorial integrity to lose, because the small islands of Sipadan and Ligitan off the northeastern coast of Borneo - disputed since 1969 - to Malaysia in 2002 following a ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Tjahjo Kumolo legislature, the House of Representatives Commission I on defense, information and foreign affairs, said the government must make a strong protest about the incident.
"Malaysia is a good friend of Indonesia. But the government should not turn a blind eye to this," said Tjahjo. "The Malaysian police humiliated our sovereignty."
The three were part of a five-strong team when they patrol the fishermen found. Two officers took seven of the fishermen to Sekupang, Batam, with three on board fishing vessels, where they were arrested.
Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that the incident took place in Kota Tinggi waters, on the southeast coast of Johor state.
"The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. when the 15 fishermen, between the ages of 23 and 63, four nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Punggai in [Johor] before they were approached by an Indonesian fisheries enforcement boat and detained," Kota Tinggi police Supt. Osman Mohammed Sebot was quoted as saying.
Initial reports also said that Malaysians are fired at the Indonesian patrol boat, but officials denied.
"The Malaysian police fired only warning shots," said Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister of Indonesia's political, legal affairs and security.
Most reports said that after the warning shots were fired, the Indonesian patrol boat fled to Batam with seven of the detained fishermen.
Widyarka Ryananta, social and cultural information counselor at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia said it would give official version of events today.
Aji also denied reports Malaysia had offered the seven Malaysian fishermen for three Indonesian officers trade.
In a press conference on Sunday, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Mohammed Fadel said Jakarta would send a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government over the incident.
"Three steps will be taken by our government to this problem," said Fadel.
In the first place, "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reprimand, or in diplomatic language a diplomatic note to the Malaysian government and police crossed into Indonesian territory."
Secondly, the government would also release the three officers, and thirdly it would ask Malaysia to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the matter should be resolved diplomatically to avoid straining relations.
Fadel said that there was at least 10 violations of the border with Malaysian and Chinese fishing boats this year, and 14, such as violations of boats by Malaysia last year. "We will work with the navy and water police to help us with border security," he said.
Indonesia is very sensitive to its territorial integrity to lose, because the small islands of Sipadan and Ligitan off the northeastern coast of Borneo - disputed since 1969 - to Malaysia in 2002 following a ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Tjahjo Kumolo legislature, the House of Representatives Commission I on defense, information and foreign affairs, said the government must make a strong protest about the incident.
"Malaysia is a good friend of Indonesia. But the government should not turn a blind eye to this," said Tjahjo. "The Malaysian police humiliated our sovereignty."
