Indonesia 'on hold' over resolution to spying issue

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa has reiterated that the Indonesian government continues to wait and does not want to rush the process of preparation and adoption of a behaviour system code regarding the relationship between Indonesia and Australia post the wiretapping scandal that was done by Australia.

He told the influential Indonesia newspaper Kompas this week that the improved relation between Indonesia and Australia "is like changing oil in the car."
"You have to make sure that all the old oil is out before you can insert the new ones.", he said.

Dr Natalegawa stressed that Australia has a greater responsibility to restore the situation. "Such as, explaining all the hidden problems in the past before stepping into the future. "

The president of the WA-based Indonesia Institute (Inc) Ross Taylor said that the bi-lateral relationship had reached a point of 'mutual ambivalence' that in the long term "will be most unhelpful to building stronger and closer ties within the region".

"Indonesia and Australia have their differences", said Mr Taylor. "But both countries need each other for not only trade and commerce, but for regional security issues such as China and America - along with Japan - now taking a more active role in the region."

Mr Taylor said that it must be a priority in the New Year for both governments' to work constructively to put the relationship between Indonesia and Australia back on a 'firm footing' or trust and respect.

ENDS

Background

The Indonesia Institute is a Western Australia-based and internationally recognized non-government organization established to represent Australian and Indonesian social, cultural, political and community interests. It acts as an effective and responsible lobby group to government and facilitates networking opportunities for those interested in Indonesia-Australia affairs.

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