RI Awaits Australia's Investigation Into Pancasila Insult Case

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The government of Indonesia is waiting for the results of Australia's investigation into the case regarding military training material before it decides about further military cooperation between the two countries.

The military training material was considered as being insulting to Indonesia's Pancasila ideology.

"Some elements of the military cooperation especially education and training are still suspended until investigstion is finished," minister of foreign affairs Retno Marsudi said here on Thursday.

They said the investigation will be concluded by the end of January. We'll (then) see, the, she added.

Minister Marsudi said Australia is one of Indonesia's important partners and neighbors. "We need one another," she added.

Minister Marsudi was informed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia that the Australian authority will also conclude their review of the military curriculum by the end of January.

Thursday's meeting was also attended by other top officials such as Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Ade Supandi, and National Intelligence Agency Chief General Budi Gunawan.

Earlier this month, General Gatot Nurmantyo had said a language training program with the Australian Defense Force (ADF), which was to be undertaken as a part of the military cooperation between the two countries, was suspended as the Australian military education curriculum was found making fun of Indonesia's Pancasila ideology.

The insults reportedly were related to some teaching materials and remarks made at an army language training facility in Australia.

While Australia apologized, they have evaluated the curriculum and are investigating, Nurmantyo said. (WDY)