An apology to all Indonesian People

I am ashamed to be Australian and I apologize to all Indonesian people for the hysterical and criminal actions, and mob-mentality of so many of my fellow Australians.

I am indignant that an act of terrorism has been perpetrated presumably by one of Corby's maniacal supporters, against the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra; that threats have been made against Indonesian people and some Australians have reportedly asked for their tsunami donations to be refunded.

None of this is acceptable or civilized behavior and the responsibility and blame for this hysteria lies solely with the corrupt Australian media who have created an American-style, ("Survivor"-type) reality television drama out of the Schapelle Corby incident.

This has been done because it is good for television ratings and it sells newspapers. It will also make for good sales of the numerous books that will no doubt be written about all of this. However it is not good for society, it is not good for international relations, it is not justified, and it is not acceptable to any rational or intelligent person.

The Australian population is mostly unaware or at least unconcerned about all the other ex-pats who are currently in jails throughout Southeast Asia because the Australian media has chosen not to cover their stories. It needs to be added that most of these jailed expats also declare their "innocence".

The Australian media has been conspicuously and suspiciously low-key in their coverage of the so-called "Bali-Nine" who were recently arrested In Denpasar with heroin allegedly strapped to their bodies, because the media knows that their story will not attract sympathy.

The Australian media in general is responsible for the racism and xenophobia that has resulted from this entire unpleasant business and again I apologize for all the distress this has caused Indonesians and for the damage done to Australian- Indonesian relations and to tourism in my beloved Bali.

KATE INGLETON

Ellenbrook Western Australia,