If a formulation on an exchange of prisoners has been reached, we will immediately free themJakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian government by way of its embassy in Jakarta offered an exchange of prison inmates with the Indonesian government.
The wish was conveyed by Australian ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty in a meeting with chairman of MPR (People`s Consultative Assembly), Taufiq Kiemas, here on Thursday. Taufiq was in the company of MPR deputy chairmen Hajriyanto Y Thohari and Melani Leimena Suharli.
Moriarty was not only introducing himself as new ambassador, but also following up a cooperation agreement previously discussed between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indonesian President President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when Gillard was on a visit to Indonesia some time ago.
Moriarty said there are two things he will do in the first year as ambassador, firstly, cooperation with the Indonesian government in preventing people`s smuggling. Many immigrants from the Middle East were trying to enter Australia, which have become quite a nuisance to the Australian government. This can be prevented by an effective and efficient cooperation between the police of the two countries.
Secondly, an exchange of prison inmates, which had already been discussed by Yudhoyono dan Gillard. As far as Australian was concerned, this is for an improvement of the future.
According to Moriarty, 500 Indonesian fishermen are being detained by the Australian government for violating the borderline when fishing. Actually the Australian government has pity for the detained Indonesian fishermen because they have families.
Right now the Australian government still has no idea how to free them because because of the absence of ways of freeing them.
"If a formulation on an exchange of prisoners has been reached, we will immediately free them," he said.
He said this would be the very first time for Indonesia to have an agreement on an exchange of prisoners with any other country. Nevertheless, he hoped that such an agreement would be reached between the two countries.
Differences on an exchange of prisoners, Moriarty said, is an ordinary matter. He said he planned to meet political party leaders and the House of Representatives to discuss the issue, he said.
The idea for an exchange of prisoners, Taufiq Kiemas said, has become a hot issue of many circles. There are pros and cons, which Taufiq Kiemas said is part of sound democracy.
It has been a long time that Australia offered an exchange of prisoners, because Australia wished to free Schapelle Leigh Corby. Corby, was an Australian citizen who on May 27, 2005, had been sentenced to 20 years in jail by the Bali District Court for possessing 4.2 kg of marijuana.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
