REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Indonesian government should protest against the Australian government by expelling their diplomats related to the immigration affairs office at the Australian Embassy, an analyst of international relations from the University of Indonesia Hikmahanto Juwana, said.

"If it is proven that the Australian naval pushed back the asylum seekers to the waters of Indonesia, then the government should strongly protest by declaring the Australian diplomats as persona non grata," Hikmahanto Juwana noted, on Friday. 

Hikmahanto pointed out Indonesia had recalled its ambassador after the wiretapping incident conducted by the Australian intelligence officers came to light. Now, as a mark of strong protest, their diplomats related to immigration affairs should be expelled from Indonesia.

According to Hikmahanto, Indonesia and Australia had been communicating with each other through their foreign ministers. Indonesia has filed a protest against Australias boat turn-back policy that entails turning the asylum seekers back into Indonesian waters.