Bali Nine: AIBC Chairman Asks Australia Not To ‘Cross The Line,’ Blames Political Tension For Affecting Business In Indonesia

The bilateral tension between Australia and Indonesia over Bali Nine execution is apparently posing a threat to the business community. The chairman of the Australia Indonesia Business Council said that Australia should ensure their way of trying to save the life of the convicts did not offend Indonesian authorities.

Debnath Guharoy spent two days in Canberra to talk about the struggles of maintaining business relationships even though there was an apparent political tension between the countries. He said that he had met with influential politicians and government representatives. He apparently explained to the major political parties in the country how the business was being run in the Asian country.

Guharoy said that it would be up to the Australians to be sensitive to Indonesians while making their efforts to fight for the life of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. He warned against “crossing the line” as it would put out own purpose at risk. He said that everything should be done “in a civilised way.”

"I understand Australia's intent, its purpose, and of course we agree with what we are trying to achieve," Guharoy said, “It's how it's done, because if you yell at the Javanese (the main ethnic group in Indonesia) there will come a time when they will retaliate in their own way.” He said that Australia would have to be careful with its words.

The AIBC chairman refused to point out which phrases or words might have defeated the purpose. However, he talked about a couple of incidents which showed that Indonesia was angry with Australia.

One was when it flew two Sukhoi fighter jets alongside the airplane carrying Chan and Sukumaran. The other incident was when there was the “Coins for Abbott” campaign in February. Several Indonesians felt offended when the Australian PM had referred to Australia’s tsunami aid to the country in 2004. Indonesian people started collecting coins to pay Australia back.

Meanwhile, a major update to the Bali Nine case shows that Chan and Sukumaran can no longer buy time before their scheduled execution. Supreme Court spokesman Ridwan Mansyur confirmed that the case review of Filipina maid Mary Jane Veloso that could postpone the execution for three months, was rejected on Wednesday.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au