Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is more democratic than Australia, according to the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, Djoko Suyanto.

He made the statement while speaking at a workshop of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) here on Tuesday, referring to Australias Prime Minister Tony Abbotts recent reprimand to the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following the stations criticism of his policy over asylum seekers.

ABC, one of Australian media that is subsidized by the government, had recently criticized Prime Minister Tony Abbotts policy on asylum seekers, strongly.

Because of that, Djoko stated that Prime Minister Tony Abbott was upset and gave a strong reprimand to the public broadcaster.

Tony Abbott was angry because he has been "scolded" by ABC, he noted.

"This was the first scolding from ABC to Tony Abbott and he has become so upset," he added.

He explained that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has never been very angry despite having been "scolded" by some 30 to 40 media in the country, everyday.

"So, which one is more democratic," he asked.

Djoko Suyanto was the key speaker in the event, which is the maiden program of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists Training and Education Center (CAJET) that would be established in Palembang, South Sumatra.

He added that the forum and CAJET must put forward principles of peaceful journalism and code of ethics.

The establishment of CAJET is the mandate of the Manila Declaration agreed upon in the general assembly of CAJ in November 2013.

CAJET was officially inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on National Press Day in Bengkulu, Sumatra, on Sunday (Feb. 9). (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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