Indonesia and Australia Strengthen Relations on Law and Security Affairs

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – As a show of well-grounded Indonesia-Australia relations, both countries agreed to collaborate on addressing law and security matters.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD and Australia’s Interior Minister Peter Button confirmed the strengthening of Indonesia's bilateral relations.

Both Pacific nations will cooperate on issues such as maritime security and counterterrorism.

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“The worsening threat of terrorism and other dangers can be resolved through strong and continuous partnership through a wide range of programs and plans that underscore law enforcement, prevention, deradicalization, and counterterrorism.”

“Such collaborations are also beneficial to identify terrorist networks through technology as well as the prevention of illegal drugs, human trafficking, and in mitigating the coronavirus pandemic.”

The expansion of Indonesia-Australia relations on a bilateral, regional, and multilateral level is inevitable, Mahfud said, noting that no country could handle such situations on its own.

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A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by both countries concerning capacity building and improving the protection and assistance of witnesses and victims.

The MOU was signed on October 27 by Peter Dutton and Hasto Atmojo Suroyo, Chairman of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency.