Indonesian protesters call for intimidation of Australian citizens and ambassador's expulsion if demand for apology not met

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Around 150 uniformed protesters from several nationalist groups converged outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, burning paper printouts of Australian flags and chanting “Australia, go to hell”.

In a press release, the protesters demanded an official apology from Tony Abbott over the phone-tapping revelations. They said the Australian ambassador should be expelled and threatened to intimidate Australian citizens in Indonesia if the apology was not offered.

Members of the fringe groups, including the Red and White Brigade, a nationalist youth group, and FKPPI, another small nationalist group, painted graffiti on the walls and pavement of the Australian embassy, with the driveway outside the building now adorned with the words “Mr Abbott is stupid”.

The groups, dressed in camouflage and berets, numbered far fewer than predicted. A security advisory memo seen by Guardian Australia indicated up to 750 people would attend and also said 10 other protests were planned around Jakarta.

The protest was attended by Indonesian Democrat MP Ruhut Sitompul, who called for the Australian ambassador, Greg Moriarty, to be expelled.

“Doesn't he feel ashamed?” Sitompul said. “The ambassador should be replaced and if it’s needed we should deport him, send him back to Australia."

The protest lasted about an hour and followed a small protest yesterday in Yogyakarta where Australian flags were also burned.

Other placards brandished during the Jakarta protest had more colourful words for the Australian government. “Suck my ass,” said one. “Go to hell Abbott,” said another.

On Thursday morning the Australian travel authority issued a warning to Australians planning on travel to Indonesia, advising them of the planned protests.

Akbar Husein, a spokesman for some of the protesters said: “Australia is the enemy of Indonesian people. We are neighbours, we have been friends since the Sukarno administration. We are extremely disappointed with prime minister Abbott's dismissive attitude and his refusal to apologise. This is what we are protesting."

During a presidential address on Wednesday, the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono acknowledged many in Indonesia were angry over the revelations that Australian spies had targeted the personal mobile phones of him and his inner circle. He called for calm among the Indonesian populace.