Jakarta (Antara) - Three different groups staged rallies in front of the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Friday, to protest spaying on the Indonesian head of state and several other officials. The protestors were from mass organizations called Red and White Fighters Command, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) and Islam Defenders' Front (FPI). Members of HTI asked the Indonesian government to expel Australian diplomats and close the embassy. Australia has betrayed Indonesia and showed its hostility towards Indonesia, Tisna, the chairman of the HTI Jakarta chapter, said. On the previous day, about 300 people from various mass organizations, namely the Laskar Merah Putih, the GM FKPPI and Pemuda Panca Marga staged a demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy following reports of spying conducted by Australia in Indonesia. The protesters started the rally by placing the Indonesian flag in front of the embassy and then burning tires. They also painted the asphalt in front of the embassy with the writing "Go To Hell Australia". Some protesters were even seen carrying banners such as "Fight Australia's Espionage." In his speech, the leader of the protesters demanded Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty to convey a message to Prime Minister Tony Abbott that Australia must apologize for its spying actions. In Tulungagung, East Java Province, a university students' group called the Indonesian Muslim Students' Movement (PMII) also staged a rally against the spying scandal on Friday. "The wiretapping on the phones of the Indonesian president as a state symbol, his family member, and several other high ranking officials is an insult. The government must take a stern stance," Sistupani WK, the PMII Tulungagung head, said. He also regretted the fact that the technological surveillance system of Indonesia was so week that the Australian intelligence was able to intercept the president's phone. (*)

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Editor : Tunggul Susilo


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