In a recent development, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton acknowledged that he made an error in attributing claims about Russia’s interest in establishing a military aircraft presence in Indonesia directly to the country’s president. This clarification emerged during a heated second leaders’ debate against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where they exchanged sharp criticisms on various topics, including US President Donald Trump, nuclear energy, power prices, and housing during the federal election campaign.
Dutton’s admission came after Indonesian Defence officials deemed the report, which originated from a US military website, as inaccurate. Although President Prabowo Subianto has yet to comment, Dutton conceded that he should have referred to unnamed sources within the Indonesian government rather than implicating the president directly.
In his defence during the debate, Dutton acknowledged his mistake, stating, “It was a mistake, and I’m happy to admit that,” while arguing that the Indonesian authorities had provided reports confirming the issue. He further asserted that discussions had indeed taken place involving the Russian envoy, indicating a worrying closeness in relations between Indonesia and Russia. Dutton aimed to highlight what he viewed as Albanese’s negligence regarding potential concerns over such developments.
Albanese seized upon Dutton’s blunder, labelling it a case of “verballing” the Indonesian president and a significant overreach. He underlined the critical role of Indonesia as both an economic partner and pivotal ally in defence, stressing, “The idea that you just throw out these comments is just extraordinary.” His response illustrated a need for a respectful and diplomatic approach when interfacing with neighbouring nations.
Defence Minister Richard Marles reinforced the Prime Minister’s statements, revealing that his Indonesian counterpart firmly stated that claims regarding Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true. Additionally, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the report as incorrect.
While Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia did not explicitly deny or confirm the reports, he did underscore the importance of military collaboration between the two nations, clarifying that such cooperation is intended to enhance defensive capabilities and does not pose a threat to regional security.
As the campaign progresses, the ramifications of Dutton’s comments and ongoing discussions about foreign military presence in Southeast Asia remain key talking points in Australian politics.