Indonesia Only Suspends `Bahasa` Education Program for ADF

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The suspension of cooperation between the National Military Force (TNI) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) would not apply to all aspects of their partnership, said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto.

Only a Bahasa Indonesia education program for an Australian special unit had been suspended, declared the minister, who is also a former National Military Chief. "The overall defense cooperation between the two countries will not be terminated, unlike what the media has reported lately," he stated.

The suspension was triggered by allegations that Indonesia's state ideology of Pancasila, involving five principles, had been insulted.

The country's military cooperation with Australia would be resumed, once it took the necessary measures to address the issue of insult to Indonesia, Wiranto remarked. "This matter will not affect the well-maintained bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia, which President Joko Widodo has emphasized this morning," he maintained.

After confirming the developments with the Australian military, the Coordinating Minister expressed hope that there would be no more out of context and confusing reports, as these could disturb Indonesia's bilateral ties with Australia.

Following the alleged insult case, Indonesia's Military Chief Gatot Nurmantyo had temporarily suspended cooperation with the Australian Defence Force as of December 2016. The termination would include a freeze in joint military training activities.

Meanwhile, Australia's Minister of Defence Marise Payne has conveyed her country's apologies to Indonesia and regretted the behaviour of the defense force.

ANTARA