KJ downplays ‘invasion’ threat ‘

What say you on the issue below?

PETALING JAYA: The safety of Malaysian citizens in Indonesia is of more concern than the scheduled “invasion” of Malaysia on Oct 8.

On Friday, the Jakarta Globe published an article about Indonesian nationalist group Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat’s (Bendera) plans to invade Malaysia by “air, land and sea” next Thursday.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said they were monitoring developments with moderate concern and a tinge of amusement.

“We are confident the fringe group will not be able to carry out any of its ridiculous threats,” he said in response to the story about the supposed “invasion” that was posted on dailychilli.com yesterday.

“Our concern stems not from the fear that we will be invaded, but that Bendera’s continued belligerence may harm Malaysian citizens there (in Indonesia) and inflame tensions between the people of both countries,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added that he was comforted by the Indonesian foreign ministry’s stance on the threat and urged the neighbouring government to be more proactive against such extreme elements.

Speaking from Jakarta, former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor said the situation was normal there.

“To most Indonesians, it is not an issue,” he said.

“I have met with the administrative elite and they do not share the negative sentiments,” he told The Star over the phone yesterday.

He added that there were a few interest groups with political and economic motives that supported these extremists - to undermine relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.

On the Oct 8 “invasion” date, Ezam said it was only to undermine a meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak the next day.