Indonesian Students In Australia Urged To Remain Calm

Jakarta, Nov 19 (Antara)- The Indonesian Students Association (PPI) in Australia has urged Indonesian students to remain calm after the Indonesian government recalled its Ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Riphat Koesuma, over wire-tapping allegations. "We call on fellow Indonesian students in Australia to continue their activities as usual and to fully respect bilateral diplomacy measures being undertaken by the two countries," said association chairman Mohamad Faiz, according to a statement on the association`s website on Tuesday. In response to Australia`s alleged tapping of the cell phone of the President of the Republic of Indonesia and other senior government officials, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa announced the recall of the country`s ambassador in Canberra for consultations on Monday (Nov. 18). The PPIA Center appealed to Indonesian students in Australia to remain calm and respect the diplomatic efforts underway in both countries to resolve the serious matter. Faiz added that the association, on Monday night, met Ambassador Najib Riphat Kesoema and Education and Cultural Attach Ronny Rachman Noor to discuss the issue of Indonesian students studying in Australia. "Indonesian representatives in Australia, particularly the Education and Cultural Attach in Canberra, have confirmed that they will continue to provide full support to the education of Indonesian students in Australia. They have said they can be contacted at any time to help Indonesian students facing any problems in Australia," stated Faiz. The PPIA Center plans to update students on the latest developments following the recall of the Indonesian diplomat through its website (www.ppi-australia.org), its mailing list and its @PPIAustralia Twitter account. Based on official data, as of December 2012, there are 17,514 students from Indonesia studying in Australia, according to the Embassy in Canberra. More than 80 percent of Indonesian students in Australia are studying at school or college in the state of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Earlier reports said that the Australian foreign intelligence agency had tried to tap the personal cell phones of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and several senior ministers.