Expert Warns Failure of PM Tony Abbott’s Letter to Satisfy Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Could Lead to Expulsion of Aussie Diplomats from Jakarta

An Indonesian international law expert warned on Monday that if the letter of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott would not satisfy Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the next step in the worsening diplomatic crisis between the two nations could be Jakarta expelling Aussie diplomats.

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Hikmahanto from the University of Indonesia warned of that scenario if the letter from Mr Abbott, whose contents were not made public, would not provide clarity on the wiretapping incident involving the president's mobile phone.

"It's not just a situation where the president thinks the reply is sufficient if the public thinks otherwise. Public opinion needs to be taken into consideration," The Jakarta Globe quoted Mr Hikmahanto, who noted the growing public resentment against Australia.

According to a survey published by Kompas, Indonesia's biggest selling national daily, while less than 8 per cent of Indonesians favour a military strike, about 90 per cent want Jakarta to deliver a harsher warning to Canberra for spying on its national leaders.

The survey respondents also agreed with the decision to recall Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema. An embassy official said the ambassador would stay in Jakarta until after the phone tapping issue is resolved.

The ambassador said, quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald, "I don't want to talk about the relationship degradation because the Indonesian embassy is still there (and functioning) and the Australian embassy is also still here ... But I was recalled to express (our anger)."

Because of the diplomatic row, the Indonesia Police Watch urged the government to get rid of cyber equipment donated by Australia. The devices were given after the first Bali bombing.

Meanwhile, reports said that Indonesia's military intelligence agency is using Made-in-China surveillance equipment to target Australian officials, companies and individuals.

It include phone taps as well as vans with the latest Chinese listening technology provided by China's 3^rd Department of the People's Liberation Army to espy on thousands of Australians working in Indonesia.