adminPROTESTERS hurled eggs at the Australian embassy in Jakarta yesterday, as Indonesia’s former spy chief dismissed official anger at espionage allegations as an overreaction and said tapping leaders’ phones was “normal”.
Demonstrators in military-style uniforms gathered outside the mission to vent their anger over claims the Indonesian president’s phone was tapped, hurling eggs and tomatoes at and over the wall of the compound.
“Destroy them,” a speaker shouted to protesters from the nationalist group “Red and White Fighter Command”, who were wearing black and red military-style outfits.
About 100 protesters were at the mission, which was heavily guarded by police, as the demonstration got under way. Members of hardline groups the Islamic Defenders’ Front and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia were just beginning to arrive.
Jakarta has reacted angrily to reports Australian spies tried to listen to the phones of the president and his inner circle, recalling its ambassador from Canberra and suspending cooperation in the key area of people smuggling.
The row has pushed ties between the neighbours to their lowest level since Australian forces went into East Timor in 1999 as Indonesia pulled troops out of its former territory.
The scandal exploded earlier this week when Australian media revealed the spying allegations, basing their reports on leaked documents from US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden.
At least one phone call was reportedly intercepted.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said he regrets any embarrassment caused but has so far refused to apologise, further infuriating Jakarta. — AFP.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter