Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia KPH Rusdihardjo praised Malaysians for being calm in the face of provocative actions by some Indonesians in burning the Malaysian flag during demonstrations in the republic over the Sulawesi sea oil row.

The ambassador also apologised on behalf of the Indonesian leadership for the untoward incidents, which he described as 'rude'.

"Those (the culprits) are 'hungry' and when they are hungry they become angry," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Today, 23 Umno Youth members headed by the movement's deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin met with Rusdihardjo to air their protest over the matter.

Commenting on it, the ambassador said he was disappointed with the emotional actions of some Indonesians.

On the other hand, he added that the ability of Malaysians to remain calm is definitely praiseworthy.

"They (Malaysians) voiced their dissatisfaction in a civilised manner and though the proper official channels," he added in reference to the visit by Umno Youth leaders.

Media blamed

Rusdiharjo said he developed a sense of respect for Malaysians when they did not retaliate to the demonstrations in Indonesia or hurl abuses at the republic's president.

The ambassador also criticised the Indonesian media, which he claimed was responsible for fanning the emotions of the people there.

"The Indonesian media is too free and it should not have resorted to flaming the people's emotions," he said.

It was previously reported that footage of the events during the Confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia were aired by Indonesian television stations after the oil row erupted.

The tensions have also spread to the Internet, where government and government-related websites in Malaysia have been defaced with Indonesian flags and insults.

The controversy erupted after Malaysia's oil giant Petronas awarded oil concessions to Shell in the disputed waters.