Australia Suspensions Language School Commander at Campbell Barracks

JAKARTA - Australian Defence Minister apologized for incident that happened to cause the suspend of military cooperation between Australia and Indonesia. The Australian Government today has sent a letter to the Indonesia Ministry of Defence's related that apology.

"The Australian side regretted the incident and the incident did not reflected policy of the Australia armed forces. They have also suspend training and language education at Campbell Barracks military bases in Perth. The commander of school in a language school has been suspended. This is a heavy penalty, we appreciated it," said Defence Minister, Ryamizard Ryaacudu in Ministry of Defence office, Jakarta, Thursday (5/1).

Relations via phone also has several times made between Australian Defence Minister, Marise Payne and Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryaacudu.

"From her tone was also apparent if she felt remorse. When woman discovered how about happy or sad. She repeatedly expressed regret once, why can this happened," said Ryamizard.

Ryamizard also mention if military relations between two country in other areas continue as usual.

"Suspended only in training and language education until the investigation is completed," he said.

From Canberra, Defence Minister, Marise Payne said the Australian military must ensure it produces “culturally appropriate” training material in the wake of the Indonesian debacle.

Payne today refused to confirm or reject reports relating to the specific offending material at the centre of Indonesia’s shock suspension of military co-operation. The fiasco stems from training material that upset an Indonesian officer training at a Perth facility.

“Certainly, we have indicated our regret that this occurred and that offence was taken. I think that’s appropriate when a significant counterpart raises their concerns with you,” she said whether Australia had apologised to Indonesia over the incident, which is currently being investigated.

The Defence Minister said the material in question had been removed and that she expected it to be “replaced with appropriate material in due course”.

“We should endeavour to make sure that the material we use is culturally appropriate, is to the point, not gratuitous and I’m sure that those are matters which will be taken into account in the preparation of training material into the future,” she said as reported nesw.com.au.

“And in fact I will ensure that that is the case.”

However she refused to comment specifically on reports that the material contained references to West Papua that Indonesian military figures deemed offensive, nor would she address reports that the word “Pancasila” had been changed to “Pancagila”.

Pancasila is a set of principles that guide Indonesian society. Meanwhile, 'Gila', is mean 'crazy'.

Payne said it would not be appropriate for me to canvass those before the conclusion of the inquiry and I don’t intend to do that.

“We, of course, in accord with the Lombok treaty, which is the treaty between Australia and Indonesia, recognise Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that is our firm and stated position.”

Asked why the inquiry regarding the November incident,was yet to be finalised, she said information needed to be collected from both sides and pointed to the Christmas and New Year break.

Payne said Australia wanted to deal with the issue in a “constructive and mature way”.

She also addressed reports that Indonesia was concerned that Australia would try and turn its troops into spies.

“I’ve heard that has been reported and that is clearly not the case and not a matter which merits significant canvassing,” she said.

Asked whether the Indonesian military had overreacted, she said: “Well, it is a matter clearly of significant concern.”

She added that she took the matter seriously.