INDONESIA-MALAYSIA TIES GET THROWN IN KARATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002394 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ID MY SUBJECT: INDONESIA-MALAYSIA TIES GET THROWN IN KARATE INCIDENT Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The alleged beating of an Indonesian karate referee by Malaysian police has stoked demonstrations in Indonesia. The GOI has formally complained about the matter and Indonesian parliamentarians have lashed out at Malaysia. Coming on top of recent cases of alleged abuse of domestic workers in Malaysia, ties between the two countries seem to be in for a period of some volatility. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) THE ALLEGED INCIDENT: Donald Peter Luther Kolopita, a visiting Indonesian karate referee, claims he was beaten by Malaysian plainclothes police outside of Kuala Lumpur on August 23. He was not seriously injured in the alleged assault. Kolopita, who was working a tournament, has not asserted a reason for the alleged attack, though he has implied that it was because of his status as a foreigner. Others have speculated that the attack was motivated by his role refereeing a match. In any case, since his return from Malaysia, Kolopita has been telling and re-telling his story to the Indonesian media, demanding that Malaysia face punishment for the incident. ¶3. (U) THE DEMONSTRATIONS: The incident sparked various demonstrations in Jakarta on August 29, including outside of the Malaysian Embassy. No one was hurt, but some eggs were thrown at the Embassy by the crowd (many of whom were dressed in martial arts uniforms). Meanwhile, the "Pancasila Youth Student's Union" demonstrated at the Malaysian Consulate General in Medan demanding redress over the issue. ¶4. (SBU) THE POLITICAL FALL-OUT: Asked about the situation, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Agung Laksono said the Indonesian government should demand an immediate apology from Malaysia and the GOI should boycott the upcoming Malaysian national day reception (August 31). Golkar DPR member Yorrys Raweyai publicly warned that Indonesians would start "sweeping" (undefined vigilante actions) Malaysian nationals in Indonesia if the Indonesian government did not take firm action. Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said a Malaysian apology would help defuse calls for an Indonesian boycott of all sporting events in Malaysia. He announced that Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla would visit Malaysia soon for consultations on the issue. ¶5. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) Director General for ASEAN Affairs Dani Djani confirmed to Pol/C during a chat in Yogyakarta on August 29 that Indonesia had formally complained to Malaysia about the incident, demanding an explanation. He added that the GOI was working to "keep temperatures down to the full extent possible." ¶6. (C) ONGOING TENSIONS: A recent conference held in Jakarta on Indonesian-Malaysian ties underlined the depth of the relationship between the two countries. The two sides have too much to lose and tensions over the alleged assault will no doubt blow over. The incident, however, places the spotlight on continued stresses in the relationship, most particularly Indonesian anger at alleged abuses of domestic workers in Malaysia. (Note: Mission will report septel on recent developments regarding the protection of overseas Indonesian workers.) HUME