REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Media reports about an exodus of residents from numerous villages in Nunukan district, North Kalimantan, to Malaysia are baseless, according to a Foreign Affairs Ministry's statement here on Saturday.
The statement said, based on information from North Kalimantan acting Governor Irianto Lambrie and Nunukan District Head H. Basri, the reports of an exodus to Malaysia were unfounded.
"Based upon observations in the field, conducted by technical agencies and local government officials, the reports about an exodus from the villages of Kinokod, Simantipal, and Sinapad to Malaysia were not true," according to the statement.
Ramly, a legislator from Nunukan district, told newsmen in Nunukan on Wednesday that the continuing exodus of Indonesians from numerous villages in the district to Malaysian areas was feared, as it might trigger an expansion of Malaysian settlement in Nunukan.
He noted at the time that if the central government failed to take any action, the possibility of Malaysian expansion would further widen.
Ramly explained that those Indonesians who had migrated to Malaysia had become Malaysian citizens and could make claims on areas in Lumbis Ogong sub-district.
"Opportunities for Malaysians to expand into Indonesian territory are also strong because many traditional leaders in Lumbis Ogong sub-district have become Malaysian citizens and can later stake their claim to customary areas there," Ramly said.
Further, the National Mandate Party (PAN) legislator expressed hope that the central government would pay attention to the welfare of the people in Lumbis Ogong sub-district and thus prevent their exodus to Malaysia.
"The central government should improve road infrastructure, health, and educational services in Lumbis Ogong sub-district to prevent the local community from becoming Malaysian citizens," he added.
But the Foreign Affairs Ministry's statement reiterated that there has been no exodus of villagers from Nunukan to Malaysian territorial areas.
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