A GROUP of Indonesians armed with samurai swords and black magic plan to “invade and wage war” against Malaysia, which it accuses of claiming Indonesian cultural heritage, according to an Indonesian news report.

The Jakarta Globe on Sept 25 reported that Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) had announced Oct 8 as the day when it will “avenge all the wrongs committed against Indonesia by its neighbour (Malaysia).”

Tensions between the neighbouring countries have continued to escalate in light of the controversy surrounding a Discovery Channel promotion a clip on a Malaysian documentary that featured the Balinese pendet dance.

CATALYST: Recent tensions were sparked by controversy surrounding a Discovery Channel promotion a clip on a Malaysian documentary that featured the Balinese pendet dance.

Other controversies that have cropped up pertain to various food items and batik, a recent offensive parody of Indonesia’s national anthem, and the abuse of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.

Earlier this month, the group set up roadblocks in Menteng, central Jakarta, in an attempt to detain Malaysian citizens.

Coordinator Mustar Bona Ventura claimed that Bendera had already recruited more than 1,200 members.
In the report, Mustar claimed that 1,500 Bendera troops will leave for Malaysia by air, land and sea on Oct 8.

The group also allegedly plan to deploy a second batch of troops at a later stage, he said, adding that Bendera would work with Indonesian migrant workers and students in Malaysia to help boost its numbers.

Mustar also claimed that the self-defence training and black magic spells designed to protect the troops had already been provided, with 150 members taking part in two sessions held at Bendera’s headquarters.

The offices are reportedly located on Jalan Diponegoro in Menteng, an address that was formerly used as the headquarters for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

However, Teuku Faizasyah, a spokesman of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the group’s members won’t get anywhere near Malaysia.

“If there are any Indonesian nationals who are intending to go to Malaysia for a confrontation, they will be arrested. It will be impossible for them to enter the country,” he said.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mahmood Adam said yesterday he had not heard or come across and report as was published by the Jakarta Globe.

“It’s impossible that such a thing will happen, but nevertheless we will find out from our counterparts in Jakarta and get the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia to check on the authenticity of the news report before we can act on it,” he said.