Nunukan, North Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The government will protest frequent violation of borders by Malaysia in North Kalimantanm, senior minister said.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs, Security and Law Tedjo Edhy Purdjianto said Malaysian warships had often crossed the border into Indonesian territory in the district of Nunukan.

Malaysian aircraft has also often illegally entered the Indonesian air territory , Tedjo said here on Sunday.

He said he would discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to settle the issue with Malaysia through diplomacy.

The first step, however, is to intensify monitoring and tighten border guard in the sea, land and air borders by using aircraft with base camp in the Tarakan military airbase , North Kalimantan, he said.

Information from the Tarakan airbase said, Malaysian warships have been spotted nine times illegally entering Indonesian waters off Ambalat in the regency of Nunukan and they had to be warned before they turned back.

Tedjo said the provocative action had prompted the Indonesian government to beef up its sea and and air defense in the border areas.

"Indonesia will continue to strengthen its security defense in the border with Malaysia to protect the countrys sovereignty," he said.

Upon arrival here earlier Tedjo said Indonesia wants to discuss border disputes yet unsettled with Malaysia and is awaiting response from the neighboring country.

There are still disputes with both claiming sovereignty over five points such as Ambalat waters, Sebatik island and Kayu Mati island.

"The Indonesian government had done maximum efforts to settle the border disputes with Malaysia," he said.

(H-ASG/O001)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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