Indonesian Parliament Deplores Withdrawal of Ambassador by Australia

Jakarta (Antara) -- Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) Tantowi Yahya has expressed regret over the withdrawal of Australia\'s ambassador to Indonesia following the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. \"We deplore the withdrawal of Australia\'s ambassador to Indonesia. We hope it is only a temporary move by the Australian government,\" Yahya said here on Wednesday. The recalling of an ambassador is a common step taken in the context of diplomatic relations, he added. \"The Australian government needs Indonesia as it is an important market for their products,\" he stated. Yahya affirmed that the DPR supported the government\'s policy on the death penalty. \"Implementing the death sentence is a positive punishment and is in line with the existing laws in Indonesia,\" he emphasized. However, state officials should deliver statements that indicate high concern and empathy towards the implementation of the death penalty. In addition, an observer of international relations from Diponegoro University, Tri Utama Cahya, said that the Australian ambassador to Indonesia was recalled to accommodate public voices in the country. \"It is an expression of dissatisfaction of the Australian people against the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran,\" he explained. \"The government is obligated to defend the country\'s national sovereignty in accordance with laws applicable in Indonesia. If Australia wants to withdraw its ambassador, it is its right,\" Cahya pointed out. Earlier, Vice President Jusuf Kalla had noted that the withdrawal of the Australian ambassador to Indonesia will not disrupt the trade relations between Indonesia and Australia. \"The withdrawal will not interrupt trade relations between Indonesia and Australia,\" Kalla stated here on Wednesday. In terms of trade, he added, Indonesia\'s imports from Australia are considerably higher. Indonesia is an important trading partner to Australia. Australia\'s primary exports to Indonesia include wheat, livestock (beef and cattle), petroleum, aluminum and cotton, while Indonesia\'s major exports include crude and refined petroleum, gold, iron, steel, and aluminum structures. With regard to the withdrawal of Australia\'s ambassador to Indonesia, the vice president argued that it was a normal step taken in diplomatic relations. \"The withdrawal of Australia\'s ambassador to Indonesia is temporary,\" he remarked. Moreover, Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia Hikmahanto Juwana stated that the Indonesian government should face Australia\'s reaction wisely.(*)