"I think it is also better to ask the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia to return home, just like Indonesia recall its ambassador. After all problem is clear, then we can restore the situation back to normal," Tjahjo said.
Semarang, C Java province (ANTARA News) - A member of parliament from Commission I handling defense and intelligence affairs Tjahjo Kumolo said Indonesian government must expel Australias Ambassador Greg Moriarty following alleged tapping case conducted by Australian government as reported by some media.

In an article published by The Guardian earlier on Monday (Nov 18) Australian government in 2009 had tapped the private phone of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, first lady Ani Yudhoyono and several ministers and government officials.

The article was made based on documents leaked by former employee of the United States National Security Agency (NSA) Edward Snowden who is now seeking asylum in Russia. In respond to the allegation, Indonesian government announced it will recall Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema to return home for consultation.

"I think it is also better to ask the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia to return home, just like Indonesia recall its ambassador. After all problem is clear, then we can restore the situation back to normal," Tjahjo said.

He also reminded Indonesian government to be brave enough to take a stand on who is friend or foe. "The tapping case, if it is proven, is a serious problem because it is related to the president who is the symbol of our country," he added.

Earlier President Yudhoyonos special staff for international affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, on his twitter account, @SKPBidangHI, said the government of Australia must respond to a media report that allegedly tapped President Yudhoyonos private cell phone.

"Australia needs to clarify this information to avoid mistrust," Faizasyah said.

He also called on the media organization that published the report to back up the allegations by revealing the origin of the documents.

"The damage is done. Now, it is time to rebuild trust between Indonesia and Australia," he added.

Meanwhile Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said Indonesian authorities are working continuously to find the truth about the tapping allegations.

"This is not the first time that Indonesia has received such a report. We faced a similar situation some years ago. Back then, President Yudhoyono immediately asked Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to investigate and clarify the matter with the related parties," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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