SBY Really Means It to Malaysia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has renewed his request for immediate sea border talks with Malaysia to avoid difference of views between the two neighboring states.

"There need to be (clear) sea borders between Indonesia and Malaysia," the President said at a gathering to break the fast with Democrat Party cadres  at his Puri Cikeas Indah residence in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday.      To that end, the President said he had ordered relevant ministries to hold immediate talks with their Malaysian counterparts on the matter. The President said Indonesia could start sea border talks with Malaysia without having to await the latter to solve its border dispute with Singapore.

Malaysia is currently in dispute with Singapore over their overlapping claims to Batu Puteh Island. The dispute has been referred to the International Court of Justice.  Yudhoyono is expected to receive reports from the relevant ministers next week, particularly those related to the recent arrest of Indonesian marine and fisheries officers by Malaysian marine police.      On August 13, three Indonesian fisheries officers were arrested  and later taken to Malaysia by a Malaysian police boat crew who had intercepted their boat on their way to Batam Island while escorting a Malaysian fishing boat that had been caught poaching in Indonesian waters.      The Malaysian police later freed the Indonesian fisheries officers in exchange for the release of the Malaysian fishermen.  Yudhoyono said the geographical location of the Indonesian waters was highly vulnerable to claims as Indonesia bordered seven countries and thus, Indonesia must continue to prioritize diplomacy with its neighbors.