House members oppose exercises with Australia

Members of the House of Representatives Commission I on defense Permadi and Djoko Susilo examine various types of weaponry belonging to the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) at the unit's headquarters near the Central Java town of Surakarta.

The lawmakers visited Kopassus on Wednesday to inquire about the possibility of the unit taking part in a joint exercise with Australia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit next year.

The lawmakers called on Kopassus to "think twice" before agreeing to Australia's offer, which is aimed at helping the country fight terrorism and piracy.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle lawmaker Sabam Sirait said the government should be cautious about the invitation, saying Australia might use the opportunity to intervene in Indonesia's domestic affairs.

"We need to be cautious as we are aware that Australia really needs collaboration with us so they can counter their greatest fear, which is terrorism," he said.

Djoko of the National Mandate Party expressed similar concerns, saying Indonesia should instead give priority to military cooperation with the United States through its International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.

"That program (IMET) is more essential for us because we can learn much from it," he said.

Rights watch groups have also criticized the Australian offer, saying that such an opportunity should be given to the police who are in charge of security.

Australia announced on Sunday it would resume the joint training program with the TNI after seven years of lapse and invited the Kopassus to a two-week antiterror drill next year. (JP/Blontank Poer)