Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs: Only Language Training Halted

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence, gives clarification regarding military cooperation termination between Indonesia and Australia at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/1). (Photo: PR/Jay)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto gives clarification over news related to the termination of military cooperation between Indonesia and Australia reported by some media in the country recently. “It is not as reported which says that we stop all defense cooperation between the two countries,” Wiranto said at a press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Minister of Defense Ryamirzad Ryacudu at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/1) noon.

The Coordinating Minister admitted that indeed the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Commander has taken measures to temporarily suspend cooperation in language training. He explained that the training cooperation involves the TNI and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) which has run for a long time.

However, according to the Coordinating Minister, there is an incident that offend our dignity as a nation which occurred in November 2016. “So, TNI Commander has taken measures, that is, to temporarily suspend the language training, and not defense cooperation. That is very much different. So we do not stop the entire defense cooperation activities, but only language training,” Wiranto said.

According to the Coordinating Minister, the suspension of the cooperation is temporary, and will be resumed after Australia clearly takes measures to resolve the matter.

Based on the report from the Indonesian Minister of Defence who directly speaks with the Australian Minister of Defence, according to Wiranto, such measures have been taken. Investigation has been conducted and the language training commander has been suspended. The latest report says the relevant party will be given a penalty.

The Coordinating Minister added that Australia has already taken such measures and expects that a meeting between the TNI and the ADF is held immediately.

In addition, the Coordinating Minister further said that Australia as stated by Australian Defence Minister remains committed to maintaining a strong, productive cooperation with Indonesia and maintaining mutual trust between the two countries.

Therefore, the Coordinating Minister hopes that the issue does not disrupt the bilateral relations of the two countries that has been going well so far. “The President has also stressed this to the media this morning,” he said. (FID/JAY/EN/DNA/ ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).