Indonesian govt should be ready to show stern response in PNG quarrel: Lawmaker

Indonesian govt should be ready to show stern response in PNG quarrel: Lawmaker

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 01/08/2012 7:05 PM

A lawmaker has told the government to be stern with the eastern neighbor after Papua New Guinea (PNG) threatened to expel the Indonesian ambassador from Port Moresby following an interception fiasco.

Mahfudz Siddiq, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, said that Indonesia should not be provoked by mere threats, but added that the country should stand for itself if the ambassador were actually kicked out by the PNG government.

“If they do it [expel the Indonesian ambassador], the government must respond accordingly. If we are treated harshly, we will also respond in a harsh manner,” Mahfudz said Sunday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Mahfudz said the threat delivered by PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was uncalled for, raising suspicions over motives behind the timing of the comments, which came more than a month after the intercept incident took place.

“Why has it been brought up just now, when it is leading up to the Papua New Guinea general election? Obviously there is political interest behind it,” he said.

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said Friday that the Nov. 29 interception by the Air Force was due to “technical issues”, specifically data differences in regard to the aircraft’s flight clearance.

The ministry added that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had summoned PNG Ambassador to Indonesia Peter Ilau to explain about the incident.

The aircraft was carrying PNG deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and several other top officials flying from Malaysia to PNG.

O’Neill threatened on Friday to expel the Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, Andreas Sitepu, if the Indonesian government failed to provide an explanation for the incident within 48 hours. (awd)