RI, RP to boost antiterror cooperation: Minister
Agencies, Jakarta
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda emphasized on Saturday the need for Jakarta and Manila to enhance security cooperation to tackle the increasing terrorist threats in the region.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of his two-day visit to the Philippines, the minister said cooperation in intelligence information, immigration and police control would be vital for the two countries.
"In the light of the Bali bombings there is a need for intensified cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia in the field of security and law-enforcement," Hassan said in a press conference with his Philippine counterpart, Blas Ople as quoted by Agence France-Presse.
Hassan said he discussed the issue with Philippine national security adviser Roilo Golez earlier Saturday but he would not give details.
The two countries are both signatories of a terrorism pact, involving Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, to enhance cooperation to combat terrorism.
The two countries share the same terrorist concerns as there are suspected relations between several radical Muslim groups in Indonesia with the Moro separatist movement in the Philippine, especially in the trafficking of explosives.
Two Indonesians are currently in prison in the neighboring country, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi and Agus Dwikarna, for illegal possession of explosives earlier this year.
There were no discussions regarding the two Indonesians, as Hassan asserted that he "fully respects the legal process," in the Philippines.
Dwikarna and al-Ghozi are believed to have links to the Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist group and are alleged to have planned bombing attacks in the region. There are also strong suspicion that they worked with rebel groups in Moro.
Aside from terrorism, Hassan also looked for closer bilateral relations in other areas. He said the two countries agreed to work together further on trade and fishery matters and on the prospect of Manila buying natural gas from Indonesia's Tangguh Field in Papua.
The two countries will also sign a memorandum of understanding in January on cooperation in protecting the welfare of their respective overseas workers.
Hassan, who is on an Asian tour, was flying to Japan on Sunday.
Indonesian ministry of foreign affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Sunday that in Tokyo Hassan would also discuss terrorism, among other things.
"There is also a possible discussion on Aceh, as Tokyo earlier this month hosted a conference to set up a trust fund for post- war reconstruction of the province," Marty said.
He was referring to the two-day conference on Dec. 3 and 4 where representatives of 23 countries and international agencies gathered and pledged financial support to rebuild the province after the signing of a peace pact between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Dec. 9.
The participating donors had agreed to hold another meeting as soon as possible.