JAKARTA, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin has assured the safety of Malaysian contingent to the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia next month, saying the matter is a priority for the embassy.
He said that in addition to the assurance given by Indonesian authorities on the safety of all contingents to the Games, the Malaysian embassy would also take steps to ensure members of the Malaysian contingent would feel safe and are able to concentrate on their events.
"The same goes to the Malaysian supporters. The thing is that we should also be civil and we should sit together inside the venues so that assistance can be given if the needs arise," he said.
He was speaking to 25 members of the Sportswriters Association Malaysia (SAM) who are currently on a three-day pre-SEA Games tour of this Indonesian capital.
The visit, led by SAM president Ahmad Khawari Isa, is to allow association members to get an overview of the host's preparation for the SEA Games, from Nov 11-22, at the two main venues -- Jakarta and Palembang.
Syed Munshe said that although there were demonstrations by Indonesians in front of the Malaysian embassy, they were isolated cases.
He said the demonstrations took place only in front of the embassy and that the demonstrators had not disturbed Malaysians in other places.
The latest demonstration was on Oct 13 when a group of demonstrators who called themselves Laskar Merah Putih gathered in front of the embassy purportedly to protest land grabs by Malaysia in West Kalimantan.
Both countries have denied the allegation.
"In fact during the meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Lombok on Oct 20, the Indonesian leader reminded Indonesians not to go over board in their demonstrations," he said.
Syed Munshe said he hoped similar assurance can be given during the SEA Games.
"Indonesian authorities provide good security for the SEA Games and I believe Indonesia, as the Asean chair, will strive to make the Games the best ever.
"I hope the Malaysian contingent will not be unduly worried about security during the Games," he said.
He said that in addition to the assurance given by Indonesian authorities on the safety of all contingents to the Games, the Malaysian embassy would also take steps to ensure members of the Malaysian contingent would feel safe and are able to concentrate on their events.
"The same goes to the Malaysian supporters. The thing is that we should also be civil and we should sit together inside the venues so that assistance can be given if the needs arise," he said.
He was speaking to 25 members of the Sportswriters Association Malaysia (SAM) who are currently on a three-day pre-SEA Games tour of this Indonesian capital.
The visit, led by SAM president Ahmad Khawari Isa, is to allow association members to get an overview of the host's preparation for the SEA Games, from Nov 11-22, at the two main venues -- Jakarta and Palembang.
Syed Munshe said that although there were demonstrations by Indonesians in front of the Malaysian embassy, they were isolated cases.
He said the demonstrations took place only in front of the embassy and that the demonstrators had not disturbed Malaysians in other places.
The latest demonstration was on Oct 13 when a group of demonstrators who called themselves Laskar Merah Putih gathered in front of the embassy purportedly to protest land grabs by Malaysia in West Kalimantan.
Both countries have denied the allegation.
"In fact during the meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Lombok on Oct 20, the Indonesian leader reminded Indonesians not to go over board in their demonstrations," he said.
Syed Munshe said he hoped similar assurance can be given during the SEA Games.
"Indonesian authorities provide good security for the SEA Games and I believe Indonesia, as the Asean chair, will strive to make the Games the best ever.
"I hope the Malaysian contingent will not be unduly worried about security during the Games," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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