From a Singapore Angle

Continuing from here; Asia Times (Mar 9) has an overview article on the on going spat; a quick way to get up to speed if you have not been following the news.

Now, for the latest from The Jakarta Post (Mar 9).

First, something fit for drama--"Indonesian warship chases away Malaysian vessel" (here):

SEBATIK ISLAND, East Kalimantan (Antara): KRI Rencong 622, a patrol ship equipped with guided missiles, has chased away a Malaysian war ship in waters around Sebatik island, East Kalimantan, moments after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his entourage left the Indonesian Naval base on the island.

When the entourage was about to depart at about 2 p.m. local time, the Malaysian boat suddenly approached within six miles of the flotilla, including the KRI KS Tubun that carried the President, along with six other warships. The KRI Rencong immediately drove the Malaysian boat out of waters claimed by Indonesia to make way for the passing fleet.

The President disembarked at Meliundung Port in Tarakan at about 5:30 p.m. before heading to the city's Juwata Airport to return to Jakarta...

Potentially more worrisome, however, are the following two reports--"Anti-Malaysian protests continue" (here):

JAKARTA (Antara): Hundreds of people staged Anti-Malaysian protests across the country on Tuesday with a burning of Malaysian flags in Makassar, South Sulawesi, to protest a territorial dispute off the Sulawesi coast.

In front a house used as a registration for migrant workers in Makassar, protesters burned four Malaysian flags to protest Malaysian's claim over the Ambalat area in Sulawesi sea.

In Jakarta, hundreds of people, some supporters of the Islamic-based United Development Party, staged a rally in front of the Malaysian Embassy.

In Jember, East Java, dozens of students grouped under the Islamic Student Movement, also conducted a rally, urging to be ready to make war if the negotiations with Malaysia failed.

It is a relief to note that in a country of nearly a quarter billion population, several groups of "hundreds" and "dozens" are protesting. A vocal minority, no doubt, but not to be ignored for that reason. Consider the next report--

"President told to take stern action against Malaysia" (here):

JAKARTA (Antara): The National Movement for the Read and White (GNUMP) [HC: probably, "red and white"] urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday to take stern action against Malaysia in relation to the Ambalat island dispute.

"We've again been humiliated by Malaysia. As this deals with the sovereignty of the unitary state of the republic of Indonesia (NKRI), President Susilo has to take stern action," GNUMP chairman Abdul Muis said, referring to Malaysia winning its claim over Sipadan and Ligitan islands in 2002.

Stern action, he said, could be in the form of ordering the Indonesian Military to shoot any trespassers on Indonesian territory, consolidate the police to maintain domestic security, withdraw the Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia, expel the Malaysian ambassador from Indonesia or mobilize the public.

"We have to remind the neighboring country that Indonesia still has its dignity and can no longer be humiliated. Without the above-mentioned steps, more humiliation at the hands of a country that is full of a territorial ambition is very likely," he said.

The Panca Marga Youth Organization (PPM) declared on Tuesday its readiness to send volunteers to the disputed region.

"We, as children of freedom fighters, are ready to maintain the unity of Indonesia. We are ready to be utilized as 'live' lighthouses at the Ambalat block to show that we have sovereignty over the area," PPM chairman Herdin Odang said.

About 100 PPM members protested in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday to express opposition to Malaysia's claim over the territory.

UPDATE: Next post here.