PM phones Widodo over Bali Nine pair

Tony Abbott has phoned Indonesia's president to restate Australia's position on the fate awaiting Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott has phoned Indonesia's president to discuss the fate of two Australians on death row. (AAP)

Tony Abbott has described his telephone conversation with the Indonesian president over the fate of two Australians on death row as positive.

The prime minister made a phone call to Joko Widodo on Wednesday night, but isn't revealing what was said.

"I don't think it would help the case of these two young Australians if I was to start ventilating in public the contents of the conversation," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.

"Suffice it to say that the president absolutely understands our position."

Mr Abbott said he thought President Widodo was carefully considering Indonesia's position.

The president previously rejected clemency for convicted drug runners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Bali Provincial Prosecutor Chief Momock Bambang Samiarso said he had received no instructions from Jakarta to delay the transfer of Chan and Sukumaran from Kerobokan to the execution place on Nusakambangan.

He was still waiting for the go-ahead from the island, and if there were any further delays, they would be for "technical" reasons - in other words, if the island wasn't ready.

"We're moving as usual," he told reporters.

"If there's delay, it's just a matter of technical issues, not political."


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Source: AAP


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