Anti-Australian backlash in Indonesia

Indonesia has responded to Tony Abbott's comments on the Bali Nine, saying 'threats' are not diplomatic.

Didn't go down well ... Tony Abbott reminded Indonesia about the tsunami aid they received from Australia in an effort to save Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan from death. Picture: AFP/Jewel Samad Source: Supplied

AN ANTI-AUSTRALIAN backlash has begun in Indonesia's Aceh province in response to Tony Abbott's controversial tsunami aid comments.

Groups of young people and activists have started a social media campaign, with the hashtag #KoinUntukAustralia or coins for Australia and posts have been set up for angry Acehnese to give coins and money as a symbol of returning the aid.

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Not impressed ... Indonesian youth's are unhappy with Abbott's comments about tsunami aid. Picture supplied. Source: Supplied

Abbott's comments, that Australia gave $1 billion in aid to Indonesia following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami have angered many in the province who say that humanitarian aid and law are different things.

ABBOTT TO INDONESIA: Let's not forget about the $1b tsunami aid

Anger is growing amid the suggestions that the aid money can now be used as a bargaining chip in trying to save the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Acehnese have begun posting photographs of coins, with the words coins for Australia next to them and one tweet shows a group of Acehnese all putting money into a cardboard box, saying "Aceh people happily try to return your money @TonyAbbottMHR".

The comments have inflamed tensions, even among those who believe Chan and Sukumaran deserve a second chance. In the wake of the comments Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called the Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla.

The coin for Australia co-ordinator, Martunus, told News Corporation that the idea was conceived after Friday prayers in Aceh when the group began discussing Mr Abbott's comments and the Acehnese reaction to them.

He said the Acehnese people were offended by the comments and offended that aid was being used as a bargaining tool.

"This is not about how much money that we can pay back to the Australian government. We only want to put pressure on Australia who has tried to interfere in Indonesia's law enforcement process. Indonesia will not be affected by Australian intervention," Martunus said.

Created tension ... Many have said Tony Abbott's comments to Indonesia did more harm than good. Picture: Jono Searle Source: News Corp Australia

"We hope that the Australian government could convey sorrow for what Abbott has said. They have to convey their apology openly, as they have offended Acehnese and Indonesian people. We never asked them to help at that time," he said.

The group includes the United Front of Indonesian Muslim Students.

Suraiya Kamaruzzaman is the president of a woman's organisation in Aceh and on the executive board at the Centre of Law and Human Rights at Syahkuala University.

She believes that the two young Australians do not deserve to die but says humanitarian assistance and criminal advocacy are two very different issues. It's not apples for apples, she says.

PM Tony Abbott says his comments on the clemency bid for the Bali Nine duo were not threats to Indonesia.

"I know that every country does the maximum to advocate for their citizens. But the statement about how Australia helped during the tsunami is not relevant. It's really two different things," Ms Kamaruzzaman said.

"The tsunami was an extraordinary humanitarian disaster, where all countries in the world with their own ability, helped us. Not on call.

"We didn't asked them to help. But it doesn't mean that because of that, Australia now can use that to save the Bali Nine. It is wrong, in my opinion."

"That Australia is attempting to save the life of their citizens, I do support them. Indeed, the State must protect their citizens. And it should be a model for us when doing advocacy for our citizens overseas. But when they use the tsunami aid to ask Indonesia not to execute their citizens, it is not apple to apple," she said.

Show of gratitude ... Mothers for Mercy bring buckets of flowers for The Jail Governor and staff of Kerobokan jail for looking after Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Picture: Lukman Bintoro Source: News Corp Australia

"I mean, the execution must be cancelled, but not because Australia has given the aid. It is not related. For me, I do not agree with the death sentence."

Ms Kamaruzzaman said she was not aware of any data which shows that the death penalty reduces crime.

"We should also remember that in our justice system, the judge is also a human being. It is very possible the judge makes a mistake. It is risky, moreover with our legal system in Indonesia where it is proven that several cases could be 'bought'. Even a judge of constitutional court, Akil Mochtar, was arrested for corruption. This is very risky.

Waiting for news ... Family continue to visit Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan. Pictured here Raji Sukumaran and brother Chintu. Picture: Lukman Bintoro Source: News Corp Australia

"If there is a mistake on deciding the case, and the convicted have been executed, what do we have to do?" she asked.

And Ms Kamaruzzaman pointed out inequities in the system. One of the drug traffickers executed on January 18 this year was a woman called Rani Indriani, a drug courier. Her aunt was a co-accused in the crime and she got clemency and a reprieve from the President but Rani was shot dead.

"This is an example that makes me more insistent on rejecting the death penalty," she said.

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