"Asylum seekers that have entered a country, including Australia, must be managed according to the UN Convention," chief security minister Djoko Suyanto said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias chief security minister Djoko Suyanto stated that Australia, under the administration of Prime Minister Tonny Abbot, must be aware and understand Indonesias sovereignty and should not violate it.

"Asylum seekers that have entered a country, including Australia, must be managed according to the UN Convention," he asserted in a written statement received here on Wednesday.

The country concerned meanwhile must also handle the problem in cooperation with the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or the International Organization of Migration (IOM), he added.

Indonesia, through the office of the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, has strongly criticized violation of its territory by an Australia naval ship.

"The Indonesian government has firmly emphasized that territorial violation under any circumstances, is a serious threat to the relations between the two countries," the offices 7th deputy for communication coordination, information and apparatus, Rear Marshal Agus R Barnas, stated in a press release received here last Friday.

In view of that Indonesia would step up sea security patrol along with the stakeholders concerned, Djoko Suyanto pointed out.

Agus added that Indonesia firmly hoped that such an incident will not occur again in the future.

"The Indonesian government has a legitimate right to protect and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity based on international laws and the UN Charter," he retorted.

Indonesia has demanded official clarification over the incident and a guarantee that violation of territory and sovereignty will not happen again.

Agus explained that Indonesia will increase the intensity of sea patrols in regions susceptible to territorial and sovereignty violations.

The decision is the reflection of Indonesias commitment to increasing illegal migrant activities, he added.

The Australian government has offered an apology to the Indonesian government after its naval ship recently traversed the countrys territory while trying to drive away asylum seekers back to the Indonesian waters.

"We sincerely regret the incident," Australias immigration minister Scott Morrison stated at a press conference with the local media as reported by AFP on Friday.

According to Morrison, Australias foreign minister Julie Bishop has offered an apology to Indonesia and foreign minister Marty Natalegawa on Thursday (Jan. 16).

"(We offer) an apology without reserve on behalf of the Australian government because we have not deliberately entered the Indonesian territorial waters," Morrison assured in his statement. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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