Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)  (ANTARA/Bernama) -- Indonesian police have vowed to protect Malaysians working or living in West Kalimantan from any aggressive action by the anti-Malaysia movement there, the Malaysian consul in Pontianak, Mohamad Zairi Mohd Basri, said Wednesday.

He said the assurance was given at a meeting he attended with top police officers in West Kalimantan who had responded positively on the matter of handling the issue involving bilateral ties.

"Alhamdullilah (Praise be to God), so far the majority of Malaysians are safe and they have not been subjected to any serious threat. Do not worry," he said when contacted by Bernama.

There are about 200 Malaysians in Pontianak, comprising workers besides businessmen who often shuttle between Pontianak and Malaysia.

On the Merdeka Day celebrations at the consulate yesterday, Mohamad Zairi said they were held on a moderate scale and were incident-free.

On a report that the home of a Malaysian engineer at an oil palm plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, was pelted with stones in a "sweeping" incident (hunt for Malaysians) on Sunday, he said an investigation was being conducted on the matter.

"I am investigating the matter so that follow-up action can be taken immediately," he said.

The 60-year-old engineer, who declined to be identified, told Bernama in Jakarta that he was almost hit by a stone when he opened his front door to check on a commotion.
He said quick action by Indonesian police prevented the situation from worsening.

Vigilante groups often take out their frustrations on Malaysians whenever issues of contention crop up between the two countries.

This round of "sweeping" comes in the wake of three Indonesian enforcement officers having been allegedly arrested by Malaysian authorities earlier this month.

The arrests had come after seven Malaysian fishermen were detained by Indonesian authorities.They have all been freed since by both countries.
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Editor: Aditia Maruli
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