JAKARTA: Jakarta's envoy to Kuala Lumpur was summoned by parliament today to explain an apology he made blaming hungry Indonesians for burning the Malaysian flag in protests at the height of a border row.

Lawmakers said comments by ambassador KPH Rusdihardjo about the burnings, which came amid tensions between the two countries over a contested maritime zone off the coast of Borneo, were an insult to Indonesia.

"His remarks debased the nation. If he cannot make a satisfactory explanation there is a possibility that he will be recalled," said Joko Susilo, a member of a parliamentary commission on foreign affairs.

Apologising to youth leaders of Malaysia's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional, Rusdihardjo reportedly said those involved in the flag protest were infuriated by a lack of food.

"Hungry people are angry people, and angry people are insane people," he was quoted as saying.

Rusdihardjo defended the apology, saying it was part of his job as a diplomat.

"At the start of the Pacific war, the Japanese ambassador in Washington still bowed but he made a report to Tokyo and said please go ahead attack the Pearl Harbor because America is unguarded," Rusdihardjo told legislators.

Indonesian and Malaysia officials have begun negotiations to settle the border disagreement which saw both countries dispatch warships to the disputed area after Kuala Lumpur granted an oil exploration concession.

Indonesians staged protests against Malaysia in major cities, with some volunteering to fight and demanding the country mobilise to "crush Malaysia". The protests sometimes involved the burning of Malaysian flags.

Sticking to their claim

Separately, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Indonesia would stick to its claim to the disputed area during the negotiations. The first round of talks in the resort island of Bali were due to end on Wednesday.

"We will not budge from out claim because the area is part of our territory," he told journalists, adding however that he talks were held in a friendly atmosphere.

The next round of negotiations would be held in Malaysia in May.