RI-Australian relationship at new high, but concerns remain

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung Benoa, Bali

Government officials and businesspeople from Australia and Indonesia would likely agree that there has been a recent renaissance in relations between the two countries, but Indonesia still sees some obstacles that need addressing.

The quick Australian response to the natural disasters in Aceh and Nias, and the recent visit by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Australia have pushed the relationship between the two countries to new heights.

Marking this latest chapter in relations, the Indonesian and Australian governments signed a comprehensive agreement to strengthen ties between their governments, peoples and businesses.

However, there are still a number of contentious issues that must be addressed before they derail these improved ties. These issues include the frequent travel warnings issued by the Australian government advising its citizens against travel to Indonesia.

Jakarta also has voiced displeasure with the lengthy process Indonesians must go through to obtain a visa for Australia, while the Indonesian government grants Australians a visa on arrival.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie expressed his displeasure over the repeated issuance of travel warnings and the treatment of Indonesians seeking visas to Australia during the opening of the two-day Indonesia-Australia Business Conference here on Monday.

"It is important that we push for the freer movement of people between the two countries," he said during the conference, adding that the travel warnings issued by Canberra did not facilitate this.

Australia has issued several travel warning to its citizens since the Oct. 12, 2002, Bali bombings that left over 200, mostly Australians, dead. Before the bombings, Australians viewed Indonesia as a favorite holiday and business destination.

Australia's policy of the detention and rapid repatriation of Indonesian fishermen who stray into Indonesia's waters is another sensitive issue.

"We need to work on the nuts-and-bolts of negotiations and agreeing on courses of action," Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Imron Cotan said during the Indonesia-Australia Business Conference here on Monday.

John Ingleson, a professor of history at New South Wales University in Sydneave, painted a gloomy picture of cultural ties between the two nations.

The expert on the 20th century political and social history of Indonesia said, "ties between Indonesia and Australia are not yet natural."

He said there needed to be more of an effort to boost mutual understanding in the areas of religion, culture and politics. "These factors have always been difficult issues for many Australians."

Ingelson said very few Australians understood the complexity of Indonesia's social and cultural conditions. "The majority of Australians have a very simplistic view of Islam."

A better understanding of these issues will help bridge any differences and misunderstandings that can hamper ties, he said.

Both countries must work harder and set ambitious targets to create a closer and mutually beneficial relationship.

"Indonesia should restructure its economy, eliminating corruption in order to attract more investors from Australia," the professor added.