Australia to contribute 6 million to Indonesia election

Canberra (ANTARA News) - The Australian government will contribute A$6 million (Rp43.2 billion) to Indonesia's 2009 general election fund as part of its support to democracy in Indonesia, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Wednesday. 

Smith made the statement at a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda after they had led their respective delegation in the 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF). 

According to Smith, his government's financial contribution to Indonesia would be channeled through the Australian General Election Commission. 

The Australian foreign minister admitted that presidential and parliamentarian elections in Indonesia were more difficult than those in Australia. 

Smith also expressed his country's support to the Democratic Forum which is to be held in Bali from December 9-10, 2008, and confirmed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's plan to attend the forum. 

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would highly appreciate Rudd's presence in the Democratic Forum, as well as the two countries' joint efforts to promote democracy, human rights, and clean governance in the region. 

Wirayuda said the forum was of great importance in promoting the agenda and discourses of democracy in the region. 

The 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum from Nov 11-12, 2008 was held at the Australian Parliament building to discuss among others key bilateral political and strategic, economic and trade and development assistance issues. 

The Australian delegation in the forum was made up of Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Minister for Trade Simon Crean, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett, Attorney General Robert McClelland, and Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. 

The Indonesian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, consisted of Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, Environment Minister Rachmad Witoelar, and Law and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalalata.