A wave of anti-Malaysia protests erupted in Indonesia with local television stations showing demonstrators stomping and burning Malaysian flags.

According to Bernama , hundreds of protestors gathered in front of the Malaysian embassy in Kuningan for the second day yesterday while hundreds more held similar protests in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The protests was over Malaysian oil giant Petronas' move to award an oil and gas exploration concession to Shell at two disputed blocks in the Sulawesi Sea.

Indonesian television footage showed at least four Malaysian Jalur Gemilang flags being burnt by the protesters.

Malaysian flags were also stomped on in Ambon, Maluku and in front of the the Malaysian Consulate in Pontianak, Palu and Central Sulawesi.

Indonesian television stations also showed archived visuals of incidents that occurred during the Confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia in the1960s under the republic's first president Sukarno.

Remove navy vessels

The protesters also carried banners and placards, calling on Malaysia to withdraw its navy vessels from the disputed waters.

At the Malaysian Embassy in Kuningan, demonstrations were held three times yesterday by about 100 people, including members of the People's Representative Assembly.

According to Bernama , Indonesian radio stations picked up news from Surabaya that police in the province had ordered two-thirds of its personnel to ensure the safety of Malaysians and properties of Malaysian companies operating there.

However, there were no reports of any untoward incidents so far.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued a statement on the issue, saying the matter would be resolved through diplomatic channels as the foreign ministers of the two countries are expected to meet in Jakarta today.

Don't retaliate

Reacting to the demonstrations, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak called on Malaysians to be patient and not to do anything foolish.

He said the citizens of both countries should act wisely and leave it to their leaders to resolve the issue through negotiations.

He said the Indonesian president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had spoken on the issue and both had agreed that it be settled through talks.

Foreign Syed Hamid Albar had been asked to go to Jakarta as soon as possible to start friendly talks with his Indonesian counterpart, he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Najib, who is on a official visit to the United Kingdom, told reporters in London that Malaysians and Indonesians should not get emotional and must refrain from taking extreme actions like burning flags.

"I hope that the Indonesians feel likewise because if we demonstrate we cannot solve this problem. We are only firing sentiments and firing sentiments will not benefit any party, including Indonesia.

"Let's not be carried away by emotions to the extent that we lose our good sense. Burning the Malaysian flag and making anti-Malaysia slogans are not the actions of responsible citizens," he said.

The deputy premier is confident that Malaysians are wiser and will not retaliate.