YOGYAKARTA (indo.com): Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X has expressed strong disapproval at a threatening move (by several militant groups) to hunt down and expel Americans visiting the area, arguing that such actions could seriously affect tourism in Indonesia, and particularly Yogyakarta.

The Governor, also the Sultan of Yogyakarta, has strongly urged (the militant groups) not to launch 'sweeping' on foreign citizens in the area as "this will only cause more instability."

"Please take pity on our fellow communities whose lives rely on tourism. If the 'sweeping' goes ahead, the tourism here will drop further," Sultan was quoted by detik.com as saying here.

The governor was responding to growing news reports on the planned move by militant groups to search for and expel American citizens residing or traveling through Indonesia if the US government attacks Afghanistan in its search for Osama bin Laden. The US has suspected bin Laden of being the mastermind of the terrorist attacks in which highjacked aircraft were slammed into the World Trade Center twin towers in New York and the Pentagon, claiming thousands of lives.

As Indonesia's second most popular destination, Yogyakarta offers archaeological remains and a rich, thriving Javanese culture. The city possesses world famous tourist attractions such as the Sultan's Palace (Keraton), the Water Palace, many smaller temple ruins and the nearby UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites of Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

In a related development, police pledged to take stern measures against militant groups who broke the law. "If they detain, abuse or attack foreigners, we will arrest and deal with the assailants accordingly, for there are laws against such actions," National Police spokesman Brig.Gen. Saleh, told The Jakarta Post.

Legislators pleaded with the police early this week to take action after a search for Americans was carried out by militant groups in top hotels in the Central Java town of Surakarta (Solo) on Sunday.