Australia and Indonesia target transnational crime in new pact
Australia and Indonesia target transnational crime in new pact
Agence France-Presse, Sydney
Australia and Indonesia have joined forces to combat transnational crimes such as people smuggling and the trafficking of women and children for prostitution, the government announced on Friday.
Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said a memorandum of understanding signed late on Thursday between the Australian Federal Police and Indonesian National Police also targeted drug trafficking, terrorism and money laundering.
The pact provided a framework for preventing, investigating, disrupting and dismantling transnational crime involving both countries, he told reporters in Perth.
"The nominated crime types include illicit drugs, people smuggling and trafficking in women and children, money laundering, corruption, firearms trafficking, terrorism, environmental and economic crime, cybercrime, identity fraud and sea piracy," he said.
"We will have the Australian Federal Police and the Indonesian police working even closer to deal with any criminal organized elements, who are or are thinking of dealing in sexual exploitation," Ellison said.
He said sexual exploitation including trafficking women and children for prostitution was of serious concern in Southeast Asia.
"We believe there is a problem in the region at the moment in relation to the sexual exploitation of women and children," he said.
"As to whether there are people being trafficked between Indonesia and Australia, that is a matter of law enforcement and I won't go into that for operational details."
Ellison said the improved relationship would help deal with potential terrorist threats.
"The question of terrorism is a matter of priority and has been discussed with the Indonesian authorities," he said.
He said a visit by Indonesian police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar to Perth this week was also a chance to discuss Australia's commitment to supply five boats to Indonesia to patrol its waters to help combat people smuggling.
"This week's visit is a reflection of the close working relationship that has developed between the Indonesian National Police and the Australian Federal Police," Ellison said.