DHAKA: Indonesia will immediately cease all joint military training and operations as well as exchange of information and intelligence with Australia.

Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday in the latest salvo as a bilateral row escalated, reports The Straits Times.

Dr Yudhoyono announced these measures in a televised statement to reporters after meeting key ministers and Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, who was recalled on Monday, over the latest revelations that Australia had conducted electronic surveillance on Indonesian officials, including the president himself.

‘We cannot be confident there will not be surveillance of Indonesian officers on these occasions,’ he said.

Coordinated military operations between the two countries, in particular on the issue of people-smuggling, will also stop pending an explanation from Canberra over the latest disclosures.

BDST: 1441 HRS, NOV 20, 2013
RoR/BSK