Stop Acting as Australia's Gatekeeper in Boat People Case: Expert

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (Antara) - Indonesia has been urged to stop acting as the policeman or gatekeeper of Australia in trying to prevent foreign immigrants from crossing Indonesian waters to reach Australia, an international law expert said on Friday. "So far, Indonesia has been acting as Australia's policeman and has worked hard to prevent illegal immigrants from reaching Australia. It's time for Indonesia to stop acting as Australia's police," Welem Wetan Songa of the University of Nusa Cendana (Undana) said. He stated that such an action was needed in response to the wire-tapping conducted by the Australian surveillance agency. As long as they are in Indonesia with legal documents, they are free to go where ever they want, including to Australia, Songa said. Alternatively, Indonesia can continue acting as Australia's police, but Australia should reciprocate by releasing traditional Indonesian fishermen being detained in Australia's jails, he added. As Australia and Indonesia share maritime borders, foreign immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, often referred to as the boat people, have used Indonesia as a transit country for their travel to Australia. But, bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia have become strained following media reports revealing that in 2009, the Australian government tapped the private phones of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several ministers and government officials. In a strong protest over the illegal wire-tapping conducted by Australian surveillance agencies, Indonesia had recalled its ambassador to Australia. (*)