Bali Nine Execution, RI Believes Australia Won't Boycott Tourism

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Australian Minister of Foreign Relations Julie Bishop is believed to have been issuing a controversial statement this morning. With the issue of the two alleged ringleaders of Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran reported to have been in line for death execution, many kinds of information, populated the media. It has been reported that the execution may carry with it a consequence for Indonesia, and this becomes a problem that is now widely talked about.

Bishop claims that the consequence will be greatly felt on the tourism sector. During an interview with the 3AW radio station, she said that the execution make Australians reconsider their travelling ambition to Indonesia.

The comment made by Bishop inevitably provokes a response from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Relations Spokeperson Arrmanatha Nasir. However, Arrmanatha said he is not yet clear with Bishop’s message and intention.

Even with the circumstance given, Arrmanatha said that he does not believe that Bishop would say such thing and Australia will not boycott Indonesia tourism. It is because, according to him, Bishop is one of the most respected figures in Australia and South East Asia. 

"I don't believe the fact that she had said so, she comes from the neighbouring country, she is evidently very friendly and as a respected person, she will consider what she says and the consequences to whatever she says to the public. It is not possible for her to encourage her citizens not to come to Indonesia," Arrmanatha said at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Relations office, Jakarta, Friday (13/02/2015).

"If she does not allow the tourists who will sell drugs in Indonesia coming into the country then that’s absolutely fine."

Armanatha wants to promote Indonesia and will be glad to have a pool of tourist coming from all parts of the world. But if their intentions are pejorative ones, then they should not be too confident on coming here.

"Indonesia is a safe place to visit and all tourists will ultimately enjoy the beauty of Indonesia," Arrmanatha concluded. (Akp/Riz)