More indonesian are expected to flee Malaysia

JAKARTA - Indonesian police in East Kalimantan are anticipating an exodus of Indonesian migrant workers from Lahad Datu, the Malaysian state of Sabah, following a deadly clash between the Malaysian security forces and a group of armed Filipinos, police said on Tuesday.

On Monday, a coordinating meeting to anticipate such an exodus was held in the Nunukan police office near the border of Indonesia and Malaysia, said Sumarwanta, head of security police unit at the Tunon Taka harbor.

Present at the meeting were representatives of Nunukan seaport administration, customs and excise office, shipping company PT Pelindo IV and Nunukan police, Antara news wire reported.

The police officer said that around 600 Indonesian migrant workers have been moved from the conflict locations to safer areas, but they still receive their salaries.

The conflict between the Malaysian authorities and the armed Filipinos has been continuing with no solution in sight.

Nevertheless, there is no information about possible repatriation of Indonesian migrants workers from Sabah to Nunukan so far, said Samarwanta.

The prolonged conflict could disturb investment in Sabah's huge palm oil industry and dampen growing investor interest in energy and infrastructure projects in the state, although the main oil fields are far from the trouble.

The group of about 180 members, says they are descendants of the sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, which ruled parts of northern Borneo for centuries. They are demanding recognition and higher payment from Malaysia for their claim as the rightful owners of Sabah.