Australian army apologizes over 'insulting' material

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) - Indonesia’s military said on Thursday it received an apology from the Australian army over “insulting” material found at an Australian base late last year.

Indonesian army spokesman Colonel Bedali Harefa said the apology was submitted formally by Australia’s Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, while meeting Indonesian army chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"General Angus expressed deep regret and apology for the incident," said Harefa in a statement to Anadolu Agency.

Indonesia decided to temporarily suspend military cooperation with Australia after an Indonesian officer found "offensive" teaching material while on a language training course in Australia late last year.

The material apparently mocked Indonesia’s founding principles, known as Pancasila, as well as making sensitive remarks on East Timor.