Indonesia angered by fresh spy claims

The deputy chairman of an Indonesian foreign affairs and defence committee has warned of the potential for an explosion in anti-Australian sentiment.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Jakarta has warned of the explosion of anti-Australian sentiment as a result of fresh spy claims. (AAP)

The Australian government must explain itself over claims it tapped the phone of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and senior ministers, Jakarta has insisted.

The deputy chairman of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, T.B. Hasanuddin, warned on Monday of the potential for an explosion in anti-Australian sentiment as a result of the allegations.

Documents obtained by the ABC and Guardian Australia from material leaked by US National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden show that Australian intelligence services attempted to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation involving Dr Yudhoyono on at least one occasion.

It's alleged his mobile phone activity was tracked for 15 days in 2009.

The president's foreign affairs spokesman, Teuku Faizasyah, has called for an explanation.

"The Australian government urgently needs to clarify on this news to avoid further damage," he told AAP on Monday.

"The damage has been done and now trust must be rebuilt."

The leaked document, dated November 2009, also suggests that Dr Yudhoyono's wife, Kristiani Herawati, better known as Ibu Ani, was also targeted, as were Vice-President Boediono and former vice-president Jusuf Kalla.

Mr Hasanuddin said on Monday, as the fresh revelations surfaced, that Indonesia must demand answers and take swift action.

"The president must address this issue and deliver an ultimatum," Mr Hasanuddin told AAP.

"This is the matter of sovereignty, and the two countries are equal partners and Indonesia should not be treated as the inferior country."

Mr Hasanuddin also appeared to warn of the possibility of an outbreak of anti-Australian sentiment in the wake of the reports.

"Indonesia and Australia are friendly countries, neighbouring countries. It's very improper and an insult that wire-tapping was conducted," he said.

"This is the kind of incident which could see nationalism grow."

"The president must take the action."

Earlier this month, the Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta to provide an explanation about the claims Australia had been part of a US-led spy network operating across the region.

It had been alleged that Australia had been using its embassy in Jakarta to collect data and monitor communications in Indonesia.

The Indonesian foreign affairs and defence committee, known as Commission One, had also raised the possibility of asking Mr Moriarty to appear at a parliamentary hearing to answer questions over the spying claims.

The latest allegations are likely to prompt a further hike in tensions between Jakarta and Canberra.

Comment has been sought from the Indonesian foreign ministry and the office of the president.

Other Indonesian political figures allegedly targeted include former presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal, now the Indonesian ambassador to the United States, and former finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who is now the managing director of the World Bank Group.


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Source: AAP


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