Australia has a phobia of Indonesia and must be convinced there is no threat from its neighbour's size and military capability, says a presidential candidate.
Prabowo Subianto is closing in on the favourite in the race, Joko Widodo, as the July 9 poll nears.
In a nationally televised debate on Sunday night, Widodo, governor of the capital Jakarta, asked his rival why Indonesia's relationship with Australia tends to run hot and cold.
Subianto, a former military commander popular for his strong and decisive image, says Indonesia wants good relations but is misunderstood.
He says Australia views Indonesia as an "emotional" nation and one with a history of military action.
"The problem is maybe, (in) Australia, there's some kind of suspicion or phobia of us," he said.
It was Indonesia's obligation to convince Australia otherwise, Subianto added.
"We must prove that our intentions are good," he said.
Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, then had an opportunity to air his views on the question.
He said there were two issues as play in the Australia-Indonesia relationship: trust and respect.
The issue of trust had come about recently, he said, with the phone tapping scandal that rocked outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
On the issue of respect, Widodo said, Indonesia was considered the weaker country of the two - an issue the next president should note.
"Don't let us be harassed, don't let us be underestimated because we're considered weak and not dignified," he said.
Widodo hoped that dialogue and cultural exchanges on several levels - government, business and social - could break down the tension between the countries.
