Jakarta (ANTARA News) - House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setyo Novanto has urged the Australian government to investigate those who raised the Bintang Kejora separatist movement flag at the Indonesian consulate general in Melbourne Friday.

"Indonesia has asked Australia to investigate those who raised the flag at its consulate general in Melbourne and take legal action. The act is a criminal offense that cannot be tolerated and violates the Vienna Convention of 1961 and 1963," Novanto said here, Monday.

Indonesia has diplomatic relations with Australia, and as a house country, it is responsible for safeguarding the Indonesian governments assets, he remarked.

"Therefore, Australia must fulfil its diplomatic obligations toward Indonesia, and safeguard our assets there," he said.

The investigation must be conducted in such a way that there is no repeat of such acts in the future, he said.

Earlier, the Indonesian government strongly denounced a group of people who forced their way into the Indonesian consulate general compound in Melbourne, Friday (January 6), to raise the Bintang Kejora separatist movement flag.

Spokesman for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry Arrmanatha Nasir said in a press statement released on Saturday (January 7) that the government has filed notes of protest with the Australia government to nab and take firm legal action against the perpetrators.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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