JAKARTA, Sept 3 — The Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) group, which held a demonstration here today, also carried anti-Malaysia placards including those that bear the popular Malaysian cartoon characters, Upin and Ipin.

Upin and Ipin have been idolised by many Indonesians since the Malaysian-produced animation film on the two characters was screened in the republic.

Some of the placards and banners also bear such words as “Diplomasi No, Perang (War) Yes” as well as words of apology for the inconvenience caused to road users as there was “sweeping” of Malaysians (off the streets of Indonesia).

The “sweeping” attempt against Malaysians held in front of Bendera’s office at No. 58, Jalan Diponegoro, here, was however foiled by Indonesian police.

Around 4.30pm, about 20 Bendera members tried to stop some passing vehicles to check whether the drivers and passengers were Malaysians, adding to the traffic congestion.

But before they could conduct the checks, the policemen stopped them and formed a line to separate them from the vehicles.

The police action made the demonstrators emotional and they told the policemen they were doing it for their country.

“Our workers in Malaysia were arrested and tortured. So, why can’t we do ‘sweeping’? Sir, you are Indonesian or Malaysian police,” the demonstrators shouted in front of the former office of the Parti Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDI-P).

Bendera coordinator Mustar Bonaventura said “sweeping” was in response to the attitude of the Malaysian government which until today had not apologised and replied cordially to Indonesia’s protest note.

The demonstration went on for about an hour before it rained in the Indonesian capital.

The police said they only allowed Bendera to demonstrate and convey their views without disrupting public order.

Meanwhile, the Tempo and Rakyat Merdeka news portals quoted Indonesia’s police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri reminding the people not to create provocation by calling on fellow Indonesians through Facebook and Twitter to carry out “sweeping” of Malaysians.

He said police would take stern action against those committing “sweeping” and that legal action would also be taken against demonstrators who burned the flags or damage the property of foreign missions.

A small group of students also demonstrated in front of the Malaysian embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta at about 5pm today.

The current anti-Malaysia movement followed the arrest of three Indonesian Maritime and Fisheries officers on Aug 13 for encroaching Malaysian waters.   

At the same time, seven Malaysian fishermen were detained by the Indonesian authority for alleged encroachment of Indonesian waters which was later found to be not true.

However, all those arrested were freed by the authorities from both countries on Aug 17. — Bernama