Bangkok Post Published: 19 Dec 2013 at 20.45 Online news: Asia
JAKARTA - Indonesia and Malaysia agreed Thursday to seek unity among the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to reject spying activities by one country against another.
"We agreed to urge Asean countries to unite in saying no to any spying activities," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told a press conference after meeting visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"Mutual trust and mutual respect are important in international relations, so we hope that during the Asean summit, an agreement can be reached among member countries to reject any spying activities," he added.
The next Asean summit will take place next year in Myanmar.
Mr Najib shared a similar view with Mr Yudhoyono, saying more attention should be paid during the summit to the spying issue.
"Malaysia will strongly support Indonesia for an agreement on the issue," he said.
Last month, the Sydney Morning Herald, an influential Australian daily, reported that Indonesia and Malaysia have been key targets for Australian intelligence to tap undersea telecommunication links across Asia, citing documents leaked by American whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Indonesia downgraded ties with Canberra following document leaks that show Australian intelligence tapped Mr Yudhoyono's personal cellphone and those of his wife and senior Indonesian officials.
After the wiretapping reports, the Indonesian government suspended cooperation in three areas with Australia -- intelligence gathering and information sharing, coordinated patrols and joint military exercises.
Malaysia, meanwhile, sent letters of protest to the United States and Australia over the spying allegations.