Indonesia Talks Trump with Australia

Attorney-General George Brandis meets Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal & Security Affairs Wiranto.

Jakarta, 05 Jumadil Awwal 1438/02 February 2017 (MINA) – Australia and Indonesia have discussed the Trump administration and its stance on the South China Sea and immigration during a security meeting in Jakarta.

While both Australian Attorney General George Brandis and Indonesian Security Minister Wiranto were keen to stress they respected the “sovereignty” of the United States they said they had discussed recent comments made by Trump administration.

Senator Brandis said he and Wiranto were “like-minded on the question of the South China Sea”.

“Both of our countries have an interest in there being security and stability in the South China Sea,” AAP quoted Brandis as telling reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

It was in the interest of the region, he added, that everyone engages on the issue “constructively”.

Wiranto, meanwhile, said Indonesia and Australia had “exchanged views on the new administration of the US”.

“Regarding the South China Sea, Indonesia has strictly conveyed its position,” he said, adding it was seeking to resolve the ongoing territorial disputes in the waters through “peaceful” means.

It comes just weeks after suggestions by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that China should be blockaded from accessing islands it has built in the contested waters.

The recent immigration policy announcement by the United States, placing travelling bans on citizens from seven Muslim majority nations, was also raised.

While Mr Brandis said it was a matter for the US, he stressed Australia has a non-discriminatory immigration policy.

Wiranto said they did not delve into the matter in detail but he hoped the Trump administration could maintain international stability and guarantee relationships between counties wouldn’t change drastically.

Tata expresses deep regret

Earlier on Thursday, spokesman for Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Arrmanatha “Tata” Nasir expressed “deep regret” over the immigration ban.

“We believe this could have a negative impact, particularly on our global fight against terrorism,” he told reporters.

“We believe that it is a mistake and I think we are going on a slippery slope when we start thinking the issue of radicalism and terrorism around a particular religion.”

“The only way to fight against terrorism is to do it in a way that we advance international cooperation and address the root causes of terrorism.” (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)