Indonesia, Australia resume military cooperation

Cooperation picks up after suspension last year due to 'offensive' teaching material at Australian base

By Ainur Rohmah

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) - Indonesia and Australia agreed Sunday to resume military cooperation after Indonesia had suspended it due to "offensive" teaching material found at an Australian base.

The deal was reached in a bilateral meeting in Sydney between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"The two countries agreed to resume military training cooperation," said Jokowi in a press release as quoted by news website kompas.com.

He said both countries will continue to build good relations with respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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

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

Indonesia’s military got an apology from the Australian army earlier this month.

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