Malaysians have not been deterred from entering Indonesia despite ongoing protests in the republic. This is an understatement.
Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun assured travellers that Jakarta remained safe. "The situation will not affect travellers although they have the right to change their itineraries if they deem Jakarta unsafe," he said. Khalid speaking as though he the President of the Republic said MATTA had yet to receive reports of any significant decrease in travellers to Indonesia after Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) threatened to "sweep" Malaysians.
We Malaysian should take these sort of threats more seriously as it takes only one incident to spark off the rest.
It was also business as usual for Lintas Travel Services operator Hisham Zamri as bookings through the agency were not affected so far. "I do not think such an incident would warrant holiday cancellations of bookings," he said, adding that holidaymakers preferred to visit tourist spots in Bali and Medan.
But he did not discount the possibility of losing business if the situation persists. "Unless the government issues advisories or directives to ban travellers to the republic, we will operate business as usual," he said.
Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Solidarity Alliance (ISWMI) Malaysia branch head Datuk Ahmad A. Talib yesterday expressed disappointment at Bendera's actions. "Throwing faeces at the Malaysian embassy was totally unexpected, especially during this holy month of Ramadan," he said yesterday.
Datuk Ahmad said, however, that ISWMI believed Bendera's actions did not reflect the Indonesian people as a whole. "Whatever happens, ISWMI does not want to see the relationship of the two countries sour because of a small portion of the Indonesian people whose actions can jeopardise the image and dignity of a country which will be celebrating its independence this month," he said.
Islamic Development Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz concurred with Datuk Ahmad. In a statement yesterday, he condemned Bendera's actions since it was committed during Ramadan. "Malaysians should remain calm and do not get carried away with emotions as it is a month for forgiveness and virtuous practices."
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