In Indonesia, groups with different ideological beliefs saw the Australia-Indonesia feud over the spying scandal a blessing in disguise, as they emerge in unity against Australia's abuse of Indonesia's sovereignty.

The once separated paramilitary groups like Laskar Merah Putih, the Forum of Indonesian Veterans and Police and Military Retirees (FKPPI) and the Merah Putih Fighters Command, and religious-based organisations like the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Indonesian Hizbut Tahrir (HTI) found unity in demanding an apology from Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University political scientist, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, noted that the unity was typical during occurrences of a possible common enemy attempting to violate Indonesia's independence. However, Mr Muhtadi noted that despite the unity, paramilitary and religious-based groups were motivated by different perspectives. The paramilitary groups viewed the spying controversy as a threat to national security, while religious-based organisations such as HTI viewed the issue as a betrayal from the West since Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim Country.

Mr Muhtadi said that once the Australia-Indonesia grudge was settled, the unity between these groups would tend to break up.

On Nov 22, 2013, members of the FPI forced their way to the Australian Embassy compound in the wake of Australia's confirmation of spying over Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono in 2009. They burnt Australian flags and threw rotten eggs at the embassy building in their efforst to demand Australia for an apology over the controversy. The FPI are known for its violent approach in dealing with such controversies. They had previously raided bars, cafes and clubs as form of protests against these establishments selling alcoholic beverages.

FPI vowed for a more violent approach if Australia failed to smoothen bad blood that were sparked with its spying activities. They went as far as calling for a complete cut of diplomatic ties against Australia, and for the Australian ambassador to be expelled from Indonesia.

Since then, public rage against Australia has been widespread in different regions in Indonesia - Palembang, Yogyakarta and Surakarta.

Meanwhile breaking news from Jakarta Globe said that the Indonesian government might remove Australian diplomats from Indonesia, if the letter penned by Prime Minister Tony Abbott failed to address the issues raised by Predident Yudhoyono.