JK Responds to Prabowo`s Statement on Australian Embassy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf "JK" Kalla said he could comprehend presidential contender Prabowo Subianto's recent statement about the relocation of the Australian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

“If he comes from the Golkar Party, I can reprimand him. But the opposition parties, their political opinions cannot be reprimanded because they do not have to be the same as the government's,” JK said at the Vice Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday, November 23. 

Read: DPR Slams Prabowo's Comment on Australian Embassy Relocation 

Prabowo Subianto previously said he respected the decision of the Australian government to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem.  

“I have not read about Australia’s decision to relocate their embassy to Jerusalem. We as the supporters of Palestine, we certainly have our own opinions. But Australia is an independent and sovereign country, we must respect their sovereignty,” Prabowo said. 

Read: Indonesia Reacts to Australia's Jerusalem Embassy Planned Relocation 

The Indonesian government has protested the Australian government’s plans to relocate their embassy to Jerusalem. President Joko Widodo also directly rang Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the call was to reaffirm Indonesia’s support to Palestine, and that Indonesia rejects Israeli occupation of the Palestine's territories. 

VINDRY FLORENTIN