Abbott’s asylum-seeker plan for Australia ‘crazy’, warns Indonesian MP
A senior Indonesian lawmaker on Tuesday described as “crazy” a plan by the front-runner for Australia’s election to pay Indonesians for unseaworthy boats to stem the flow of asylum-seekers.
A senior Indonesian lawmaker on Tuesday described as “crazy” a plan by the front-runner for Australia’s election to pay Indonesians for unseaworthy boats to stem the flow of asylum-seekers.
Tony Abbott, who is leading Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in opinion polls ahead of the September 7 vote, unveiled the plan last week, saying it would stop the leaky wooden vessels falling into the hands of people-smugglers.
Thousands of would-be refugees stage perilous sea journeys each year from Indonesia in a desperate attempt to reach Australia. Many have died when the rickety vessels sink.
Thousands of would-be refugees stage perilous sea journeys each year from Indonesia in a desperate attempt to reach Australia. Many have died when the rickety vessels sink
But Mahfudz Siddiq, head of the Indonesian parliament’s foreign affairs commission, said: “This is a crazy idea.
“The idea is degrading and offensive to the dignity of Indonesians.”
“Obviously he [Abbott] doesn’t understand diplomacy or bilateral cooperation,” added Siddiq, from the Prosperous Justice Party, Indonesia’s biggest Islamic-based party and a member of the ruling coalition.
Abbott’s US$400 million scheme would include a capped government buy-back plan for the vessels as well as stipends for Indonesian “wardens” in 100 villages to provide information to Australia and bounty payments for information leading to successful smuggling prosecutions.
