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.