REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR - The National Police stopped handling cases of illegal immigrants caught in Indonesian waters on their way to Australia, Chief of Police General Sutarman said here on Friday.
The decision was made in protest against allegations that Australia, in 2009, had tapped the private cell phone of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, and some ministers. Responding to the issue, Indonesia temporarily halted some cooperation programs with Australia, including the exchange of intelligence information, military cooperation and the handling of illegal immigrants.
"Violations being conducted beyond Indonesian waters is no longer our business," stated the police chief.
President Yudhoyono last Wednesday (Nov. 20) ordered the suspension of several cooperation programs with Australia following allegations that Australian intelligence agencies had tapped the private cell phones of Indonesian state officials.
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