Protest at Singapore embassy in Jakarta

Protest at Singapore embassy in Jakarta.

SINGAPORE - Demonstrators gathered outside the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday as it was opening its doors for people to sign a condolence book for Singapore's late former President S R Nathan.

In a post on Facebook, the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta wrote that a group of demonstrators from Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM), a pro-military organisation, had gathered at the embassy to protest the alleged mistreatment of retired Indonesian army general Suryo Prabowo at Changi Airport on Aug 17.

Mr Suryo was stopped by officers at Singapore's Changi Airport last Wednesday as part of screening procedures for border security, according to a statement by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

The statement said that he was interviewed by checkpoint officers for 30 minutes, and was allowed to board his flight after the interview.

According to Indonesian media, Mr Suryo complained on social media about being blacklisted while in transit at Changi Airport after arriving from Fiji.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo lodged a note of protest with the Singapore defence attache in Indonesia over the incident, according to Antara News.

"We have written to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a note of protest with Singapore. Who knows, I may be blacklisted in Singapore anytime in the future," he told Anatara.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir told The Jakarta Post that a similar name might have caused the delay.

"Immigration has said that it was a routine inquiry by immigration authorities due to the common name," Ms Arrmanatha said.

"Despite the demonstration outside, the signing of the condolence book proceeded uninterrupted inside the embassy.

"We would like to extend our thanks to the Jakarta police for ensuring law and order, as well as the safety of the embassy during this period," said the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta. – channelnewsasia