Diplomatic corps warned of wiretapping<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Wednesday
\nthat wiretapping has become a global phenomenon and urged
\ndiplomats and staff at Indonesian Embassies abroad to be on the
\nalert.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the United States and its allies had developed a
\nsystem that could "monitor" over one million taps every half
\nhour.<\/p>\n
After a screening process, the system selects 650,000 taps to
\nbe filtered down to 1,000 reliable taps.<\/p>\n
"So, don't ever think that we are secure (from information
\ntheft). What has happened in certain places is only the reality,"
\nhe told the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I
\noverseeing security and foreign affairs.<\/p>\n
"As for the Australian case, we sent team to check it out. We
\nonly found an alarm system. Whether there is a bugging device, we
\ndon't know," he said, referring to an earlier allegation that
\nAustralian authorities were tapping the Indonesian Embassy in
\nCanberra.<\/p>\n
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has flatly denied
\nthe allegation, saying that the so-called bugging device was a
\npiece of security equipment.<\/p>\n
Hassan also disclosed on Wednesday that the ministry had sent
\nteams to embassies in several European countries, the United
\nStates and other countries to check for possible bugging.<\/p>\n
"There are indications of bugging in those countries," he said
\nwithout elaborating.<\/p>\n
Hassan said his office would order staff members at overseas
\nmissions to use a special device called Crypto to avoid
\ninformation leaks.<\/p>\n
Commission I deputy chairman Effendy Choirie of the National
\nAwakening Party said legislators supported the plan.<\/p>\n
"Yes, we support it, but we have neglected to include it in
\nour summary," he said.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, legislator Mashadi of the Reform faction
\ninterrupted the minister's explanation and demanded that
\ngovernment send a diplomatic note to Australia, insisting that
\nthe country had practiced double standards.<\/p>\n
"Australian officials display good intentions before their
\nIndonesian counterparts, but they keep donating money to non-
\ngovernmental organizations campaigning against Indonesia," he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diplomatic-corps-warned-of-wiretapping-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}