TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian soldiers on the Kalimantan border allegedly kidnapped five Sarawak residents from Malaysia last week.

The New Straits Times or NST reported on December 23 that five Sarawak residents aged 15 to 64 were gathering wood in the Wong Rangkai forest near Danau Melikin Village, 400 meters from the Serian-Kalimantan border, near the WFM oil palm plantation at the Ringin Hall, during the day on December 11. Suddenly, they were approached by two men in army uniforms. The two men were armed with Pindad SS-1 assault rifles, which became the TNI’s (Indonesian military) main rifle.

The five were then taken with Toyota Hilux, which was parked around and told to drive to the Kalimantan Sg Enteli border post. The soldiers accused them of stealing wood from Indonesian territory.

The Malaysian government has sent a protest note regarding the forced detention of its citizens, through the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

According to the NST report, during the trip, the soldiers allegedly abused five Sarawak residents and threatened to shoot if they resisted. Allegedly one of the soldiers fired two warning shots.

While at the border post, all five were forced to admit they had stolen wood in the territory of Indonesia.

The reports cited police reports accusing soldiers of beating them and being forced to fetch water in the river for the soldiers.

Three people remained detained overnight, while two others, brother and sister, were released at 4 pm to inform the hostage family to hand over RM10,000 and two chainsaws at midnight.

The Malaysian soldiers who facilitated the release of hostages from the Indonesian army were forced to disarm to be allowed to enter the Indonesian border post.

The second meeting was held on December 14, on the Malaysian border side, 200 meters from Sg Eneli post, for the return of hostages. This time, it was led by the 3rd Infantry Brigade Commander of Malaysia based at Penrissen Camp, Kuching.

The Indonesian army was led by military representatives from the Consulate General in Kuching. This exchange report with the Indonesian army was confirmed by the Sarawak and Malaysian Military Police.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA