REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU -- Indonesia will evaluate its defense relations with Australia following recent wiretapping allegations, a minister said here on Friday.

"The decision is part of the Indonesian government's firm response against Australia's wiretapping in Indonesia," Hatta Rajasa, the chief economic minister, said on the sidelines of a Muhammadiyah Islamic youth meeting.

Australia's Sydney Morning Herald, which first reported the alleged wiretapping on October 31, said Australia has used its embassy in Jakarta and other countries for spying activities.

Hatta noted that Australia has never openly admitted that it had a monitoring station in Cocos Island, although it has been operational for more than two decades.

According to Australian media reports, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's cell phone was tapped for 15 days in August 2009.

Besides President Yudhoyono, Australia also tapped the phones of first lady Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and other high-ranking officials.

Hatta said although defense relations would be evaluated, economic relations between the two nations would continue as before.

But the Indonesian government will seek alternatives to Australian beef imports, he added.

"This will be done so that Indonesia does not rely too much on Australia for beef imports," he noted.

He said, regardless of the wiretapping incident, Indonesia must not rely on one country for beef imports.

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