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Roundup: Indonesia beefs up security in border areas following trespass by Malaysian forces

Xinhua, June 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Indonesia has besieged more warships and fighter jets in its border province with Malaysia following frequent border trespassing committed by Malaysian forces in Indonesia's territory of Ambalat island in the last few months.

Indonesian military has recorded at least nine illegal flights committed by Malaysian air forces above Indonesian Ambalat island located in North Kalimantan province which located close to Malaysia's territory.

Those border breaches were recorded from January to June this year.

To respond the incidents, Indonesian navy and air forces conducted joint military drill, called Sakti Operation in North Kalimantan waters, dispatched more warships and fighter jets support surveillance of its border with Malaysia.

Indonesian military Spokesperson Fuad Basya said that the illegal flights above Ambalat island occurred every time when there was no Indonesian fighter jet patrolling in the area.

"If our fighter jets chased them from Java, they disappeared before our planes reached the area," Fuad said recently.

He said that the navy and the air forces were now besieging three warships and Sukhoi Su 27, Su-30 and F-16 fighter jets in Tarakan, the largest city in Indonesia's North Kalimantan province.

Responding to the latest incidents, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that Indonesia prefers to take peace solution through diplomatic way.

"It should be settled with friendly measure. We would first ask about their reasons. Later on, if considered necessary, we would send diplomatic note to launch a protest," Jusuf said in his office on Wednesday.

He added that Malaysia had previously committed border breaches several times, but Indonesia would be consistent with its peace solution to respond the border violation issue with Malaysia.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Security, Legal and Politics Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno said that government would send foreign affairs minister Retno Marsudi to attempt a diplomatic measure with her Malaysian counterpart related to the latest border breach issue.

He said on Sunday that sending a diplomatic note to Malaysia government has been weighed.

According to Tedjo the assignment of more warships and fighter jets in Tarakan was intended to tighten up the monitoring of Indonesia's border with Malaysia.

Indonesia's Ambalat sea bloc is located between Indonesia's East Kalimantan province and Malaysia's Sabah region. Reports said that the bloc has plenty of gas and oil deposit that can be exploited within 30 years. Endi