Respect our laws, Kalla tells Aussies

Rendi A. Witular and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Government officials have lined up to condemn the act of sending potentially hazardous biological powder to the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, as the police brace for a possible retaliatory protest at the Australian Embassy here.

Speaking about the incident, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Thursday that all countries needed to respect the judicial process in Indonesia and the nation's efforts to uphold its laws.

Foreign countries should not expect double standards for their citizens when the law was upheld in Indonesia, a newly democratic country that was only beginning to fully enforce its laws, Kalla said.

"Other countries complain if we don't strictly enforce the law, but also complain when we do. Therefore, we need to look at this case in a fair way. Indonesia is moving toward a better (legal system) with stiffer law enforcement," he said.

However, Kalla stressed that the incident would not harm the relations between the two countries and noted Australian Prime Minister John Howard had already apologized for the powder threat.

"I don't think it will disturb our relations. It was just a minor incident that we regret. The government will not impose any travel warnings (on Australia) for Indonesians," he said.

House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono branded the incident "a ferocious act of terror" and called for the Australian police to aggressively pursue the case.

"It's inhumane, and it proves that terror acts also take place in Australia. They have to be objective and fair in handling the case and quickly identify the perpetrators," he said.

Agung said the Australian government should investigate the motive behind the incident, which could damage the ties between the two neighbors.

Legislator Dedy Djamaluddin, who sits on the House Commission I on foreign affairs, said the powder incident showed the Australian government had failed to ensure adequate security for foreign diplomats in the country.

"An apology is insufficient. What's important is a guarantee that this kind of thing won't recur," Dedy said.

Djoko Susilo, also on the commission, urged the Indonesian government to withdraw Indonesian diplomats from Australia as long as threats to their safety remained and suggested the government issue a travel warning on Australia.

Terror threats have prompted Australia and other Western countries to issue regular travel warnings to their citizens, advising them against visiting Indonesia.

The powder package, which the Australian police have announced is harmless, was posted to the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Imron Cotan, on Wednesday in what Prime Minister Howard described as "a reckless and evil act."

It is assumed the incident is related to the high-profile trial of Australian beautician Schapelle Corby in Denpasar, who was sentenced to 20 years' jail for bringing in 4.1 kilograms of cannabis into the country.

Most Australians believe Corby is the innocent victim of drug- smuggling Australian baggage handlers and her conviction here has sparked a backlash in Australia, with the Indonesian Embassy receiving threatening calls, while the Indonesian consulate in Perth was mailed a package containing bullets. Some travel agents in the country have threatened to boycott Bali as a holiday destination and other Australians have even called for the tsunami aid money they sent to Indonesia to be returned.

Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer said the he welcomed the plan by the Indonesian National Police to send officers to assist the investigation into the case, AFP reported.

"We also discourage (Australians) from protesting, as there's nothing to be gained from mounting protests against the Indonesian courts or laws as they are duly constituted," he said.

The Indonesia Embassy remained locked up with no sign of activity on Thursday, with police patrolling the street outside and staff ordered to remain home after spending 12 hours quarantined inside the building on Wednesday.

Separately, the Jakarta Police geared up on Thursday for possible retaliatory protests at Australian diplomatic missions here. A water cannon was deployed outside the Australian Embassy, while reinforcements stood by on alert.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Ariyanto Budiharjo said the decision to provide additional security for the embassy was an anticipatory move and did not involve a request from the Australian government.