Australia, Indonesia to Boost Cooperation on Tackling Terrorism

Luhut Panjaitan and George Brandis

Sydney, 04 Ramadan 1437/09 June 2016 (MINA) – Indonesia’s Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan expressed confidence in further cooperation with Australia on tackling terrorism, on Wednesday (Jun 8), at the second Ministerial Council on Law and Security meeting in Sydney.

“We are confident that this cooperation will only improve further in the future, and the two countries will continue to share intelligence and help each other in capacity building in a number of areas,” Mr Luhut said.

The event serves as a forum to coordinate cooperation and roles the two countries must play in connection with international security, especially when it comes to tackling terrorism, the press statement said. The first bilateral meeting was held in Jakarta last December, CNA was quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Indonesia’s delegation was led by Mr Luhut. The team includes Police chief Badrodin Haiti and Counter-Terrorism chief Tito Karnavian.

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Australian Attorney-General George Brandis was accompanied by Justice Minister Michael Keenan.

Also discussed between the two parties were what they called areas of mutual concern and interest, such as issues like financing for militants, de-radicalization, cyber-security and the threat posed by foreign fighters.

Mr Luhut said Indonesia had successfully mapped some 500 Indonesians in Syria who wanted to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia. This information had been shared with Australia and he was confident that they could tackle this threat.

“We are facing terrorist organizations in the Middle East who are initiating war with other countries, and they are attacking our friends and neighbours. We need to collaborate with each other to respond to their threats. This is an opportunity for us to learn how to apply the laws accordingly, and share intelligence; and we will continue our cooperation,” said Mr Keenan according to the statement.

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A press release from the Australian government said the Ministerial Council would provide an opportunity to discuss the financing of terrorism in the lead up to the second Regional Counter Terrorism Financing Summit, which Indonesia and Australia would jointly host in Bali this August.

Indonesia’s Parliament is currently deliberating an anti-terrorism bill, which if passed would allow authorities to detain suspected terrorists or persons. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) 

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