TEMPO.CO, Pecatu - Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Moeldoko, said that his agency is currently preparing a new encryption method to protect strategic data from wiretapping.
"This is the only way to anticipate information leak," the General said after attending a national discussion on the Indonesian Chinese People and Entrepreneur Association (Permit) at the Rich Prada Hotel, Bali, Thursday, November 21.
Moeldoko also said that the wiretapping conducted by Australia on the President and a number of ministers, including first lady Ani Yudhoyono, was an illegal intelligence activity based on two reasons. The first reason, as he explained, was the wiretapping subjects were not related to national security, while the second reason is that the method of the information gathering has been leaked.
"What is the point of them [Australia] tapping the communication between the President and his wife?" he said.
In response to the issue, Moeldoko said that the Indonesian Army (TNI) had already halted a joint training with the Australian Military by recalling six F-16 aircrafts that supposed to participate in a joint-exercise at Darwin, Australia. Moeldoko also instructed to halt a joint-exercise between the Indonesian Army and the Indonesian Navy with Australia.
Moeldoko admitted that his actions would have a significant impact on the Indonesian military. However, he explained that the TNI will abide by its political stance that requires them to follow the government.
"After the both countries' relationship improve, military cooperation will commence," he said.
FERY FIRMANSYAH
