Australia is Only Responding to Public Appeals: Observer

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Australia merely wanted to respond to public appeals and decided to recall its ambassador to Indonesia following the execution of the Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, according to an observer.

"The recall is an expression of dissatisfaction by the Australian people against the execution of the two drug convicts from the country, although I read in the media that majority of the public there also wanted the imposition of death penalty for drug crimes," Tri Cahya Utama, an observer of international relations at Diponegoro University in Semarang, stated on Wednesday.

He noted that the Indonesian government should not respond drastically to the withdrawal of the Australian ambassador to Indonesia.

According to Tri, the government needs to think about national sovereignty as there are several people in the country who are suffering from prolonged drug abuse.

"The Indonesian government is obliged to defend its national sovereignty in accordance with the laws applicable in the country. If Australia withdraws its ambassador, it is their right to do so," Tri pointed out.

He further remarked that the tension between Indonesia and Australia following the execution of the Bali Nine duo will not last long as Australias interest in Indonesia is far greater than its two citizens who are executed. (WDY)