The home of a Malaysian engineer at an oil palm plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan was pelted with stones in a "sweeping"

(hunt for Malaysians) incident on Sunday.

NONE It is understood in the 2pm incident, a group of five men wearing headbands written with "Ganyang Malaysia" (Destroy Malaysia) had also hurled verbal insults against Malaysia.

Speaking to Bernama , the 60-year-old engineer, who declined to be

identified, said he was almost hit by a stone when he opened his front door to check what the commotion was.

He said quick action by Indonesian police prevented the situation from worsening.

He added that he felt traumatised by the incident and had asked his empoyer to shorten his contract and be allowed to return home.

At the time of the incident, he was home alone as he had sent his wife back to Malaysia.

It is further understood that the group had been on the lookout for Malaysians working at the plantation since Saturday but only came across the engineer on Sunday.

Vigilante groups often take out their frustrations on Malaysians whenever issues of contention crop up between the two countries.

This round of "sweeping" comes in the wake of three Indonesian enforcement officers being arrested by Malaysian authorities in disputed waters off Bintan island earlier this month.

The arrests had come after seven fishermen had been detained by Indonesian authorities for allegedly trespassing into Indonesian waters.

They have all since been freed by both countries.

More demonstrations

Meanwhile, the vigilante group Bendera, which has been at the forefront of holding demonstrations condemning Malaysia over the Bintan incident, today held another in front of its office here in spite of Malaysia celebrating its 53rd indenpendence anniversary.

NONE Besides, burning the Malaysian flag, the group also invited the demonstrators to give their thumb prints in blood on a white T-shirt which they said they wanted to present Malaysia as a gift for the anniversary.

Later today, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said Malaysia and Indonesia are capable of resolving whatever issues that crop up through bilateral discussions without third-party intervention.

"So far, we are able to sit down together and discuss ways to find the most amicable solution," he said when approached by reporters after attending the 53rd Merdeka celebration at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, today.

NONE Anifah ( left ), who was asked to comment on several issues involving Malaysia and Indonesia, said the current conflict between the two countries could be resolved through the Asean spirit.

Being neighbours, he said Malaysia and Indonesia had many similarities and shared benefits in various aspects.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa was reported to be visiting Malaysia on Sept 6 to meet Anifah and discuss the incident on the demonstration besides other bilateral matters.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said diplomatic channels between Malaysia and Indonesia should be used in the best manner so that the close relations between the two countries could be maintained.

Using the diplomatic channels would be able to prevent any group who tried to jeopardise the cordial relations between the two neighbouring countries, he said.

Matters that touched on border issues would always crop up but they could be resolved amicably through wisdom and the maturity of the leaders of the two countries.

- Bernama