By Ross B. Taylor AM
The decision by Indonesian 4-Star General
Gatot Nurmantyo - who is a very senior officer in Indonesia - to suspend military
ties with Australia over 'offensive' material issues is a gross overreaction;
but not surprising.
Nurmantyo has never liked or respected
Australia.
The 'offensive' material mainly related
to 'West Papua' issues and also the creation of a 'word' Pancagila from the philosophical important
Indonesian word "Pancasila"; the former 'word' meaning something like
Indonesia is five times crazy or mad. Pancasila is very important to
Indonesians as it represents the foundation of their society.
We Australians
would also be upset if a military person in Indonesia created a new word from
ANZACS that was derogatory. It was stupid thing to do.
Having said that, for Gatot to stop
military ties - without reference to his political masters - shows how much he
dislikes Australia and just how sensitive things are right now in Indonesia as
the nation deals with a challenge to it's principals by Islamic hardliners and
the future of its Jakarta Governor over blasphemy charges.
Privately, Indonesian diplomats are
disappointed with the Major-General's actions. Australia and Indonesia are
facing significant issues with terrorism in our region and the rise of China in
the south-China sea.
Never has it been so important for Indonesia and Australia
to be working closely together - as we do - with both policing and military
co-operation to maintain the stability and security of our region. Actions like this by the most senior military
officer in Indonesia should not be underestimated, but it also does not help this process.
It also dos not help his
president who currently should have more important issues to deal
with.
5th January 2017
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