Lawmakers Urge Government to Upgrade Communication System to Prevent Wiretapping

Jakarta (Antara) - Lawmakers from the Commission I handling defense and foreign affairs have urged the government to upgrade the communication system in government offices in Indonesia and abroad to avoid wiretapping. "We also want the Defense Ministry to develop a cyber defense system with the help of satellites designed specifically for defense and intelligence purposes. We do not have that right now," Chairman of Commission I Mahfud Siddiq said here on Thursday. Speaking after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Mahfud added that the lawmakers at Commission I would try to ensure that the satellite is procured in 2014. Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been strained after media reports alleged that Australian intelligence agencies tapped the private cellphones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and some Indonesian ministers in 2009. In reaction to these allegations, Indonesia temporarily suspended military and intelligence cooperation with Australia, including cooperation on preventing illegal immigrants from heading to Australia. Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said Indonesia is keen to implement a code of conduct with Australia that encompasses anti-spying activities and related issues. "The first step in the process is communicating with Australia. After that, we will know whether we can go ahead with discussions on a code of conduct," he added. However, Marty did not provide details on when he plans to meet his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop. (*)