Thailand-Kamboja War On Border, Dasco Urges Indonesian Citizens To Stay Calm

Deputy Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh-VOOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, responded to the battle between Cambodia and Thailand which could escalate the escalation into war.

Dasco asked the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are in both countries.

"First, we appeal to our citizens in Cambodia and Thailand who are quite a lot to remain calm," said Dasco at the DPR building, Jakarta, Friday, April 25.

"And we ask the foreign ministry to then communicate to calm our citizens," he continued.

According to Dasco, Indonesia's relations with Cambodia and Thailand are very good so that the conflict between the two countries will not interfere with the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Well, for Cambodia and Thailand matters, I think Indonesia's relations with the two countries are quite good," he said.

Dasco also hopes that the Indonesian government can mediate for the two countries so that they do not continue the conflict.

"Hopefully the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President of Indonesia can also bridge relations between the two countries so that they will remain good," said the daily chairman of the Gerindra Party DPP.

Regarding the push for conflict resolution between the two countries into the ASEAN forum, Dasco admitted that he did not know. Because he has not communicated with the government, especially President Prabowo Subianto.

"I don't know yet because I haven't met the President yet. But later we will sound in the hope that in this ASEAN area there will be more turmoil," he concluded.

Reportedly, Thai leaders say fierce fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has killed at least 16 people.

The attack on the two countries in Southeast Asia has displaced tens of thousands of people and could escalate to war due to a dispute that has lasted for a century.

Thailand has closed its border area with Cambodia. Meanwhile, Cambodia has cut off its diplomatic ties with Thailand while accusing its neighboring country of using "excessive force".

The stabbing of this border area began more than 100 years ago when the boundaries of the two countries were set after the French occupation of Cambodia.

The relationship between the two became tense in 2008. At that time Cambodia tried to register an 11th-century temple in the disputed region as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This move was met with strong protests from Thailand.