Australian Minister Of Home Affairs: Indonesia Mitra Bilateral Is The Most Important For Combating Extremism
JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto met with Australian Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tony Burke at the 10th Indonesian-Australian Council of Law and Security (MCM) meeting in Bali, today Tuesday 30 July.
Hadi said RI-Australia was committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in facing security challenges in the region of the two countries.
"We are also committed to strengthening cooperation in facing maritime security challenges that are of common interest, such as issues of human smuggling and illegal activities at sea, and others," Hadi said in a written statement, Tuesday, July 30,
Meanwhile, Burke specifically expressed his appreciation to the Republic of Indonesia, especially the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) for their cooperation with Australia in handling maritime security challenges faced by the two countries.
"Australia and Indonesia are geographically neighbors and become strategic partners. Therefore, Indonesia's partnership is very important for Australia," said Burke.
Previously, Burke, who had just been appointed Australian Minister of Home Affairs, considered Indonesia an important partner in facing maritime security challenges, developments in the threat of terrorism, violent-based extremism, as well as cybersecurity threats and vital information infrastructure.
"Indonesia is one of our most important bilateral partners, including in the security of civilian maritime, human smuggling, and overcoming violent extremism," Burke said, quoted by News.com.au, Monday, July 29.
Burke replaces Clare O'Neil who previously served as Australian Minister of Home Affairs and Andrew Right as Former Australian Immigration Minister.
O'Neil andmen have faced criticism for months after being deemed to have failed performance, including after the NZYQ High Court acquitted immigration prisoners, some of whom were suspected of committing crimes against Australians.
Burke now holds the mandate as Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Minister of Cybersecurity, and Minister of Australian Arts.