Sunday August 29, 2010
By SIMON KHOOsimonkhoo@thestar.com.my
PEKAN: Indonesian authorities should act fast to quell demonstrations in their country or risk incurring the wrath of Malaysians, warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
In refuting the perception that Malaysia was taking a “soft” stance in handling the issue, Najib said yesterday if the situation persisted, it could lead to Malaysians retaliating in anger.
“I hope the Indonesian authorities will not allow the demonstration by their citizens – paid for by certain quarters – to create unrest.
“We can give an assurance that the situation in Malaysia will be under control. But most importantly, it should not lead to a situation in which the bilateral ties of both countries are jeopardised.
“Malaysians must remain calm and not react to any provocation,” he told reporters after presenting yearly dividends to Risda smallholders.
A total of 43,990 smallholders including the orang asli community from the integrated replanting and commercial replanting schemes nationwide received dividends totalling RM110.15mil.
Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had sent him a letter but he had yet to read its contents.
“I believe the Indonesian president is expressing his disappointment over the situation and that the demonstration should not be linked to the Indonesian government.
“The Indonesian government is aware that two million of its citizens are working in Malaysia and there are huge investments by Malaysian firms ,” he said.
Najib said both countries had mutual interests and should not allow the situation to disrupt bilateral ties.
He added that so far, Malaysia had no plans to issue a travel advisory for Malaysians against visiting Indonesia.
On a separate matter, Najib said not all citizens would respect the country’s laws, which was why there were murderers and robbers in society.
He added that action would be taken against those who broke the law and the courts would mete out the rightful punishment.
Meanwhile, Najib announced that rubber smallholders would receive higher financial assistance to help them in their replanting schemes from Sept 1.
He said the present aid of RM7,000 to smallholders in peninsular Malaysia would be increased to RM9,230 over the next five years.
Smallholders in Sabah and Sarawak would receive RM14,000 and RM13,500, respectively.
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