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Indonesia criticises Australia for not arresting trespassers at its Melbourne Consulate-General
Sydney Morning Herald - January 27, 2017
Tensions remain inflamed between the two countries after a defence fracas earlier this month following the discovery of "offensive material" – including an assignment related to West Papuan independence – at a Perth army base.
Within days of the furore a Caucasian man was filmed provocatively holding up the separatist West Papuan "Morning Star" flag, which is banned in Indonesia, on the roof of the Indonesian Consulate-General in Melbourne. Another person filmed the event.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi described the alleged trespass on January 6 as a "criminal act that is completely intolerable".
She said on Thursday night a parliamentary commission had requested the Indonesian Government demand the Australian government legally process the trespassing incident "because we know the faces of perpetrators, we have the pictures".
"The question is why has there been no arrest when 20 days have passed?" she told reporters after a marathon closed meeting with Indonesia's military chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo, and the defence minister.
"As close neighbouring countries, we have a very intense relationship and of course problems occur every now and then," Ms Retno said.
Many Indonesians remain suspicious of Australia's intentions in Papua, even though it has signed the Lombok Treaty recognising Indonesian sovereignty over the restive province.
"What is important is that in our relationship with Australia we have a commitment not to intervene (in each other's domestic issues), we respect territorial integrity, equality, etc," Ms Retno said.
The Australian Federal Police told Fairfax Media an investigation was ongoing in relation to an incident at the Indonesian Consulate-General Office in Melbourne on January 6.
"The AFP takes these matters very seriously and is continuing to pursue lines of enquiry," the spokesperson said. "As a matter of longstanding practice, the AFP is unable to provide further comment on ongoing investigations."
Parliamentarian Tubagus Hasanudin went further than Ms Retno, saying he didn't buy the argument Australia was still looking for the perpetrators.
"They have the capacity to look for terrorists, how come they can't find these 'beggars'," he said. "Legal action should be taken... if nothing is done we might consider taking diplomatic measures."
Meanwhile, General Gatot said Australia's Army Chief would visit Indonesia on February 8 to convey the results of an internal investigation into the material found at Campbell Barracks in Perth. "He will meet with our Army chief and myself," General Gatot said. "We will see what is the result."
Earlier this month General Gatot had described the material, which included a poster that ridiculed the state ideology Pancasila, as "too painful to explain".
The discovery of the material resulted in a suspension of a language training program pending the outcome of the investigation. General Gatot said the action taken would depend on the result of the investigation.
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