An Indonesian minister warned to create a “human tsunami” by releasing 10,000 asylum seekers to Australia. The warning comes from Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of Indonesia.

Purdijatno’s response comes as he accuses Australia of antagonising Indonesia over the Bali Nine execution. He said that Australia was trying to pressurise the republic by discouraging people to visit Bali. The former Navy chief added that Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s reference to the $1 billion Boxing Day tsunami aid was also a way of putting pressure on the Asian country to cancel the execution.

Purdijatno, who is a controversial figure in his country, said that Jakarta would allow more than 10,000 asylum seekers in Indonesia to travel to Australia in boats. "If Canberra keeps doing things that displease Indonesia, Jakarta will surely let the illegal immigrants go to Australia," Purdijatno said, "There are more than 10,000 [asylum seekers] in Indonesia today. If they are let go to Australia, it will be like a human tsunami."

Purdijatno’s comments were aired on Metro TV, a highly rated and government-preferred channel in Indonesia. The minister’s claims of letting the illegal immigrants travel to Australia may not have a practical reasoning behind it. According to a foreign migration expert based in Jakarta, Indonesia would have to arrange boats to help the asylum seekers travel to Australia. He said that the comment was “extra-ordinary.”

The Indonesian minister also said that it would be “no big deal” for his country if Australia discontinued doing business with it as a response to the execution of the Bali Nine duo, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. He said that, according to Indonesia’s calculations, it was Australia which enjoyed the surplus on the trade between the countries.

According to Purdijatno, Indonesia is Australia’s main market for livestock exports. Therefore, any discontinuation of trade will affect Australia’s domestic economy, he said. Purdijatno also talked about a prisoner swap, as proposed by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. The minister said that it was “unethical” on Australia’s part. He also said that Australia should respect Indonesia’s judicial system.

Purdijatno asked Australia to learn about ethics in the University of Gadjah Mada. The minister was giving a lecture on nationhood in the university in Yogyakarta.

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

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