Published: Thursday October 8, 2009 MYT 2:10:00 PM
Updated: Thursday October 8, 2009 MYT 2:36:31 PM
Security forces on alert for ‘Bendera invasion’ (Update)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s security forces, particularly those guarding the coastlines, have been put on alert after an Indonesian group threatened to invade the country on Thursday.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said any security threat to the country and its people would not be taken lightly, whether or not the attacks take place.
“Our security forces are on alert. They are ready and prepared to meet whatever threats that may come our way. We are always on guard,” he told reporters on Thursday.
However, he said there were no reports of sightings of Indonesians entering the country bearing “long bamboo poles.”
On Sept 28, The Daily Chilli reported that Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) had amassed bows and arrows, samurai swords and bamboo spears for an invasion of Malaysia.
Their mission is to “avenge” all alleged wrongs committed against Indonesia.
The group managed to attract media attention and frenzied supporters with its war cry of “kill Malaysians” and was the same group that set up roadblocks at Menteng, the heart of Jakarta, to “sweep” Malaysians off the street recently.
Both Malaysian and Indonesian authorities scoffed at the idea, saying the threats should not be taken seriously.
Border patrols stepped up
In KUCHING, the Royal Malaysia Police have stepped up security at all entry points from West Kalimantan to Sarawak as a precaution following threats from Bendera, national news agency Bernama reported.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh said patrols by the General Operations Force had been doubled starting Thursday, especially at the Tebedu and Serikin border posts and several illegal trails at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
“So far, we have not received any report of moves by the group known as Bendera to enter Sarawak,” he told reporters after the Sarawak police contingent’s monthly assembly and Aidilfitri open house at its headquarters here.
Mohmad said police would also set up roadblocks at major roads leading in and out of the state besides monitoring the industrial and plantation areas where many Indonesians were employed.
He said a police team from the Criminal Investigation Department had surveyed the areas and so far nothing unusual had happened, Bernama reported.
He also said that so far there had been no reports of Malaysians going to Kalimantan being threatened or those there being disturbed.
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