Indonesian and Australian
Relations
By Bec and Grace
History of Indonesian-Australian
Relations
Colonisation - World War II
• Indonesia was colonised by Holland in the
seventeenth century, and at the time was called the
Dutch East Indies. In the second World War,
Japan invaded and occupied Indonesia, during
which a nationalist movement grew. The Japanese
surrended on the 15th August 1945 and two days
later, the nationalist leader Sukarno, proclaimed
the independence of Indonesia. Australia officially
recognised the Republic on 9 July 1947, but only
the regions of Java, Sumatra and Madura.
Indonesian National Revolution
• The civil unrest and armed struggle that
occurred from 1945 to 1949 – the
Indonesian National Revolution – came to
an end after the Netherands recognised
Indonesia’s independence in 1949. The UN
established a committee to bring about this
ceasefire, and Indonesia nominated
Australia to sit on this committee.
Fear of Communism strains
relations
• The Menzies government in Australia were wary
of Indonesia in the period following their
independence due to the prominence of the
Indonesian Communist Party, the largest nonruling communist party in the world at that time.
An attempted coup on the government on 30
September 1965 brutally repressed them,
effectively eliminating the Indonesian Communist
Party.
War between Malaysia and
Indonesia
• The relations between Australia and Indonesia
were damaged to a degree when Australia
provided warfare aid to Malaysia in its war against
Indonesia from 1964-1966. Australia would
frequently send troops across the border at
Sarawak into Indonesian territory, and twenty-two
Australian servicemen were killed during the
Konfrontasi, seven of them on operations.
Sukarno to Suharto
• In March 1967, the President Sukarno was
overthrown by Suharto, whose 32 year reign
was defined by his anti-communist stance.
This meant that relations between Australia
and Indonesia improved because of this
common ideology.
Indonesia invades East Timor
and the Balibo five
• In 1975 Indonesia invaded East Timor, claiming that the
main East Timor political party was communist and
Australia supported Indonesia’s actions, fearing a
Communist domino effect. However the Australian public
were not completely in favor of the the Indonesian
invasion of East Timor, partially due to the deaths of five
Australian journalists on 16th October 1975 in East Timor,
referred to as the Balibo five. In an inquest into the deaths
of these journalists, it was found that, “The Balibo Five
were shot and or stabbed deliberately, and not in the heat
of battle, in order to silence them from exposing
Indonesia's 1975 East Timor invasion.”
1999 East Timor
• Australian-Indonesian relations worsened
after East Timor declared independence. On
30th August 1999, a UN organised
referendum in East Timor saw a majority of
citizens choose independence from
Indonesia. The Australian-led INTERFET
peace-keeping force was dispatched to
restore order in East Timor.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
• In 1998, due to growing dissatisfaction with
his authoritarianism rule, Suharto was
forced to resign, with Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono being instated as the new
President of Indonesia.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
1998-present
Agreements and Treaties
Trade and Investment framework
• September 29 2005-Australia and Indonesia have
strengthened commercial ties through a Trade and
Investment Framework (TIF) signed by Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark
Vaile and Indonesian Trade Minister, Dr Mari
Pangestu.
• The TIF will strengthen commercial ties by
enhancing business opportunities and improving
facilitation of trade in goods, services and
investment.
• Work on issues identified by the Action Agenda
Issues identified by the Action
Agenda
• Building closer linkages in a range of sectors including,
textiles, clothing and footwear, health, education and legal
services, food and agricultural processing, energy and
mining, and infrastructure development.
• Promoting Indonesia and Australia as attractive investment
destinations.
• Identifying opportunities for promoting investment
opportunities in each others' and third markets.
What we get out of the
relationship - Trade
• The Republic of Indonesia is one of Australia's
main trading partners. Indonesia is a significant
destination for Australian exports of wheat, cotton,
specialised machinery, civil engineering
equipment, other manufactures of base metal,
crude petroleum, aluminium and zinc. On the
other hand Indonesia is an important source for
Australian imports of crude petroleum, textile
yarn, paper and paper board, paper manufactures,
furniture and footwear.
Lombok Treaty
(Security agreement)
• The Lombok Treaty (Agreement Between the
Republic of Indonesia and Australia on the
Framework for Security Cooperation) was
originally put forward in the eighth AustraliaIndonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF), held in Bali
on 29 June 2006 and was signed by the Foreign
Ministers in Lombok on 13 November 2006. On
7th February 2008, the Foreign Ministers Stephen
Smith and Dr Hassan Wirajuda ratified the treaty,
bringing it into force.
Aims of the Lombok Treaty
• The Lombok treaty aims to expand bilateral
cooperation and exchanges on matters affecting
the common security of both Indonesia and
Australia. The ten articles outlay the objective of
the agreement:
• It provides a strong legal framework for
encouraging intensive dialogue, exchanges and
implementation of cooperative activities to combat
terrorism and trans-national crime.
Strengthen cooperation
• It also provides a strong legal framework to
strengthen cooperation in:

Defence,

Counter-terrorism,

Intelligence,

Maritime and aviation security

In relation to the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction

Emergency management and response.
Law Enforcement
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Law enforcement:
People smuggling and trafficking in persons;
Money laundering;
Financing of terrorism;
Corruption;
Illegal fishing;
Cyber-crimes;
Illicit trafficking
Lombok Treaty
• The remaining articles outline the means for
ensuring confidentiality, how the treaty is to be
implemented, the settlement of disputes and any
amendments that may need to be made.
• It is hoped that the agreement will contribute to
the stability and prosperity of both countries and
the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Recent Events/Issues
2002 Bali bombings
• The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002 in
the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali.
The attack was the deadliest act of terrorism in the history
of Indonesia, killing 202 people, (including 88 Australians,
and 38 Indonesian citizens). The attack involved the
detonation of three bombs:
• a backpack
• a large car bomb
• smaller device detonated outside the United States
consulate in Denpasar, causing only minor damage.
• The bombings has had a significant effect on Indonesian
tourism with Australian tourist arrivals down 57% as a
direct result and a high risk at airports
2009 Jakarta bombings
• At 7:50 am, July 17th 2009, the JW Marriott and RitzCarlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by two
separate bombs from suicide bombers, that killed 3
Australians. The Marriott bombing occurred first and was
followed five minutes later by the Ritz bombing. A part of
the facade of the Ritz Carlton was blown away by the blast
and windows had been blown out.
• Currently Indonesia is on Australia's “consider need to
travel” category in airports , the second highest ranking.
2005 tsunami
• On December 26 2004, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
occurred, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen
countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves
up to 30 meters.
• In January 2005, shortly after the December 2004 Indian
Ocean tsunami, the Australian Prime Minister and
Indonesian President announced a five-year $1b AustraliaIndonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development
- the single largest aid package in Australian history.
Under the Partnership, Australia will provide extensive
assistance for reconstruction and development in Aceh and
throughout Indonesia.
The Bali Nine
• The Bali Nine is the name given to a group of nine
people arrested on 17 April 2005, in Denpasar on
the island of Bali, Indonesia, in a plan to smuggle
8.3 kg (18 lb) of heroin valued at approximately 4
million Australian from Indonesia to Australia.
They are Andrew Chan, Si Yi Chen, Michael
Czugaj, Renae Lawrence, Tach Duc Thanh
Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin
Stephens and Myuran Sukumaran.
Sentences
•
•
•
•
Si Yi Chen, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen and Mathew Norman-Sentenced to
life imprisonment on 15 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years upon
appeal. On prosecutors appeal, Supreme Court imposes the death penalty. On
appeal, Supreme Court reduces sentence to life in prison (confirmation
pending)
Michael Czugaj- Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.
Sentence reduced to 20 years upon appeal. On appeal, Supreme Court
reinstates life sentence.
Martin Stephens-Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.
Sentence upheld upon appeal. On appeal, Supreme Court upheld life sentence.
Renae Lawrence- Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.
Sentence reduced to 20 years upon appeal. Four-month remission on 2008
Indonesian Independence Day.
Sentences
• Scott Rush-Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006. On
prosecutors appeal, Supreme Court imposes the death penalty.
• Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan (ring leaders)- Sentenced
to death on 14 February 2006. Sentence upheld upon appeal.
• Rush, the only one of six courier's with a death sentence, and the two
ring leaders Sukumaran and Chan are proceeding with appeals to
challenge their death penalties. If their final appeals fail, the three men
will be left with just one last chance to avoid the firing squad:
clemency from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
however the president typically shows no mercy to drug smugglers.
• The five remaining, excluding Lawrence are serving life sentences and
also planning fresh appeals.
Impact on Relations
• Parents of defendants Scott Rush and Renae Lawrence
criticised the Australian Federal Police for allowing the
Indonesian police to arrest the nine , although being aware
of the severe death penalty sentence for drug smugglers.
The AFP was alerted to the plan before the smugglers
boarded the plane, however they only informed the
Indonesian police. At the time, there was a treaty between
Indonesia and Australia, where both countries could refuse
to cooperate in a police investigation if the crime under
investigation carries the death penalty.
Impact on Relations
• “The policy is that we will not give evidence that
will, or information that will, directly cause or
result in somebody receiving the death penalty. But
the reality is in this case, it would appear, on the
allegations, that these people have been caught redhanded with heroin in Indonesia” -Former AFP
Commissioner Mick Keelty
• The Indonesians felt pressured by the Australian
government and the media, with high ranking
Australian official's publically condemning the
death penalty. This could lead to tension between
the two country's.
Corby’s clemency plea
• While travelling through an Indonesian airport on her way
to surf in Bali, Shapelle Corby was caught with 4.1kg of
marijuana in her body-board bag. The Corby case
generated intense controversy in Australia, and at times
was expressed publicly with a perceived anti-Indonesian
bias, causing tension in Australia's relationship with
Indonesia.
• During her trial, Corby wrote a pleading letter to the PM
John Howard saying in part, "as a father and as a leader, I
plead for your help. I did not do this. I beg for justice. I
don't know how much longer I can do this. Please bring me
home.”
Corby’s Clemency Plea
• Former PM Kevin Rudd appealed directly to the
Indonesian president on behalf of Shapelle for a 'new
prisoner transfer deal' to get Corby home. PM Julia Gillard
has also supported the claim for clemency, with Corby
pleading for a presidential clemency claiming depression
that could endanger her live and insanity. The Indonesian
supreme Court has also recommended that Corby's
sentence be significantly reduced.
• A recent Sunday Age/Nielsen poll has found that 66 per
cent believe Corby should return to Australia to serve her
sentence. however just one in 10 respondents in the
Nielsen poll taken last week believed she was innocent.
Map of Indonesia