Sweeps against Malaysians shameful, says observer

Jakarta, NU Online
Chairman of Indonesian Guide, Fadjroel Rachman, said the sweeps against Malaysian citizens committed by a number of people here were really stupid and shameful actions.

The police should act because a crime had happened, he said here on Thursday. "Do not tolerate criminal acts under the guise of reactive nationalism," he said.<>

Rachman said the Indonesian people should not be trapped in reactive nationalism or suicidal nationalism when facing various provocations by Malaysians.

According to him, in facing Malaysia, a positive sense of nationalism was needed while diplomacy and negotiations should become the priority in handling any problem.

Therefore, he did not agree if later Indonesia takes the step of emotional provocation, let alone armed conflict with the outdated slogan "crush Malaysia".

He said further that the government should immediately form a special team directly led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Foreign Minister as acting chairman and assisted by legal team, artists and cultural experts.

The president should be proactive in resolving the dispute with Malaysia diplomatically and immediately hold a meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister, he said.

Earlier, Indonesia`s foreign ministry deplores the sweeps against Malaysian citizens conducted by some people on Jalan Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The ministry`s spokesman, Teuku Faizasyah, said here on Wednesday that the Indonesian people should respond to the issue of Malaysian claims over Indonesian cultural property "with a cool head and not emotionally."

"It is better to settle all issues peacefully through diplomatic channels or talks," Faizasyah said, hoping the incident would not recur. (ant)