Five soldiers under remand

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the soldiers were travelling in the area when they were stopped by police officers during a security check.

"They were held because the police wanted to find out their intentions of going into the area.

"I cannot reveal what the conclusions were for their presence there, but the soldiers are still under remand.

"We are leaving the matter to the police,'' Najib said after presenting a speech during a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

Najib, who is also Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation chairman, said the clashes among the residents in Kampung Medan were personal in nature and had involved individuals of different races.

At another function in Kuala Lumpur, Immigration director-general Datuk Mohd Jamal Kamdi said the Indonesians, arrested for alleged involvement in the Kampung Medan clashes, faced deportation, cancellation of their work permit or permanent resident status.

He said the department was determining the status of the Indonesians before deciding on action against them.

"Those found to be illegal immigrants will be immediately deported.

"Those who possess proper documents might kick a fuss if we send them back but we have the authority to shorten their work permit or revoke it so that they will be sent back immediately.

"As for those who are found to be permanent residents, we will either cancel their status or issue them with a warning,'' he said after awarding certificate of status to nine recipients and entry permits to 24 foreigners.