Indonesia says it will help develop Melanesia

Transcript

The Indonesian government says it hopes to make a positive contribution to economic and developmental challenges in Melanesia.

Leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group which includes Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Kanaks of New Caledonia elevated Indonesia's status from observer to associate member at the MSG Leaders summit held in Honiara this week.

A spokesperson from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra Sade Bimantara told Koroi Hawkins its associate membership is a positive step for Melanesia.

SADE BIMANTARA: We believe that we can contribute to the Melanesian Spearhead Group. add value to that and also to increase connectivity between people in the Asia Pacific with those Melanesian descendants in Melanesia.

KOROI HAWKINS: And the other decision was to grant observer status to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua what is Indonesia's reaction to that?

SB: Well I cannot, I don't have any comment on those organisation observer status.

KH: Your delegation in Honiara has released a statement in response to the ULMWP's acceptance speech saying that they acknowledge the choice of the MSG leaders. However they do not believe sort of in what the ULMWP stands for. Is that consistent with what you are getting from your embassy or for Indonesia?

SB: Yes, yes I think that is consistent what has been released by our delegation. Of course that decision is the decision of the MSG leader and you know we are ready to cooperate with all members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

KH: And this all brings into light the reason that the ULMWP has asked for observer status is allegations of numerous human rights abuses against the people of West Papua. Again your delegation in Honiara has rejected these allegations. Is that the same position from the high commission?

SB: Well I cannot comment on allegations that I don't know what is being alleged, first of all. And for those allegations of human rights abuses or other allegations, we work on it on a case by case basis. If it is a criminal matter of course this will be investigated by the police and the proper authorities in Indonesia. Which has been done in the past and it continues to go into the future. We take any allegation of Human Rights abuses and other criminal activities in Papua, West Papua or other provinces of Indonesia very seriously.

KH: Now the MSG has granted Indonesia associate member status. What does that exactly mean?

SB: It means that we are now in a position to more closely engage with the organisation. Going forward we aim to add more value to the organisation and also to broaden the relations between governments communities and people and also deepen our economic ties and development cooperation for both the prosperity of the people in the MSG and of Indonesia.