DPR Foreign Affair Commission to Visit Australia
Thursday, 08 June, 2006 | 17:39 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: After their visit being postponed for a several weeks, five members of the Foreign Affair Commission at the House of Representatives (DPR) will finally visit Australia between June 12 and June 16 this year.

The team that will be led by A.S.Hikam of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction will meet both the Australian government and parliament to discuss matters relating to Papua.

“We will also meet with civil and church authorities,” Hikam told the press yesterday.

According to Theo L. Sambuaga, the Head of the Commission, this team is officially the representative of DPR Commission I, which cover matters concerning defense and foreign affairs.

The members of the team have been tasked with improving the relationship between both countries based on common needs at the same level.

Although Australia has clearly acknowledged Papua to be an integral part of Indonesia, Theo explained, the delegation from the House of Representatives will still have to visit the country.

“The granting of visas to the 42 Indonesian citizens from Papua was an injury to our sovereignty. They (Australia) must take notice. We'll still demand that they revoke the visas,” insisted the Golkar Party politician.

Hikam will be accompanied by Yusril Ihza Mahendra (Crescent and Star Party Faction), Yuddy Chrisnardi (Golkar Party), Boy Saul (Democrat Party), and Chudlary Syafii Hadzami (United Development Party).

Raden Rachmadi