Indonesia’s Military, Foreign and Defence Leaders Gather to Discuss Ongoing Defense Cooperation with Australia.
Indonesia’s Chief of military General Gatot Nurmantyo,
Jakarta, 28 Rabiul Akhir 1438/27 January 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia will await the outcome of Australia’s investigation into the training material behind this month’s defense suspension before making a decision about further cooperation.
It has also called for Australia to ensure the “trespassers” who climbed onto the roof of Indonesia’s consulate in Melbourne “immediately” face the law.
Indonesia’s Chief of military General Gatot Nurmantyo, joined the country’s defence and foreign ministers, as well the head of intelligence at parliament for the closed-door meet that ran for more than six hours on Thursday.
When it was finished, General Nurmantyo told reporters, Australia’s chief of army Angus Campbell will come to Indonesia next month to convey the result of their investigation into the material which sparked the Indonesian general’s announcement this month that defence cooperation was suspended.
“They (Australia) have apologised and they have evaluated the curriculum and they are investigating,” AAP quoted General Nurmantyo as sayingd on Thursday.
“Whether or not we continue to cooperate will depend on that.”
In a shock-move, General Nurmantyo announced the suspension earlier this month, saying an Indonesian officer discovered the material while on a language training course at a Perth base in Australia late last year.
General Nurmantyo said it poked fun at Indonesia’s founding principles – Pancasila – and also suggested its province of Papua should be independent.
Initially it was reported the suspension would apply to all military ties, however, the government later said it was only in relation to language training.
“Australia is one of our most important partners, I think as a close neighbour we need each other,” she told reporters after the parliamentary briefing,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.
With such a “high intensity relationship” it was no surprise that every now and then there would be “problems”.
Issue on OPM flag
She said the parliament was also keen to see Australia bring those protesters who “trespassed” on the Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne this month and displayed a West Papuan flag.
“Why up to now those people haven’t been arrested? It has been more than 20 days,” Ms Marsudi said.
“(We want Australia) to immediately solve this case and bring this case before the legal process.”
Parliamentary member TB Hasanuddin asked: “How come they (Australia) have the capability to hunt terrorists so fast, and then when looking just for these two ‘bums’ they cannot (catch them)?” (T/RS05/RS01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
