Australian intelligence has helped neutralise an ISIS-inspired terror plot in Indonesia and the two governments have agreed to work in closer co-operation to stop radicalism in the region.
Nine people are being interrogated after raids in five Indonesian cities prompted by intelligence from Australia, the US and Singapore.
Indonesia's National Police chief General Badrodin Haiti wouldn't confirm reports the network planned to attack Shia communities and had groomed a suicide bomber to attack New Year's Eve celebrations in Jakarta.
They were using the code word 'concert' and chemicals were seized, but the details of their plot were not fully known.
'It could be a single (attack), it could be massive, it could be a series, certainly it depends on their preparation and readiness,' Gen Haiti told reporters in Jakarta.
Police officers and the national police headquarters were among their targets he said, as well as 'vital objects' - buildings or infrastructure - which he wouldn't name.
He urged people to keep their Christmas festivities low key: 'not too merry, not too excessive - please celebrate it simply'.
Gen Haiti's comments followed the first Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security, which brought together ministers, and the national police and intelligence bodies.
Indonesia and Australia agreed to form joint working parties to enhance co-operation on cyber crime, intelligence sharing, investigating terrorism financing, Attorney General George Brandis said.
'It's the purpose of today's meeting to deepen and strengthen what is already a strong relationship,' he said.
'That relationship at a policing level does include where appropriate the exchange of relevant criminal intelligence.'
Indonesia's Co-ordinating Minister for Security Luhut Panjaitan also wouldn't detail the nature of intelligence shared.
He was confident authorities now had 'intensive, detailed intelligence' about the possibility of an attack in the near future.
'No country's immune from a terrorist attack but I can assure you we are working very hard to tackle the terrorist issue and so far we are successful to do so.'
Indonesia, with the world's largest population of Muslims, has successfully dismantled terror networks since the deadly Bali bombings, which targeted foreign tourists.
Gen Panjaitan said there were no specific threats to foreigners at this time.
Bali provincial police chief Sugeng Priyanto also encouraged visitors to Bali to relax.
'Yes, terror could happen anywhere,' he said.
'On principle, we're obligated to be alert for the upcoming Christmas and New Year.'
Indonesian authorities are still hunting for suspects but among those in custody so far are a teacher from an Islamic boarding school and a student, named as Zaenal, who was reportedly being groomed to carry out an attack.
It's believed a map of the greater Jakarta area was among the items seized in the raids, along with bomb-making materials including detonators and chemicals, as well as jihadist manuals.
A black flag inscribed with text 'similar to an ISIS flag' was allegedly found at the home of the teacher, identified as 31-year-old Asep Urip.
Australia and Indonesia also held defence and security talks in Sydney on Monday, where Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne met with their Indonesian counterparts Retno Marsudi and Ryamizard Ryacudu.
Of at least 800 Indonesians who have travelled to the Middle East to join ISIS, more than 100 have returned to Indonesia, Gen Panjaitan said last month.
- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/12/21/ministers-in-jakarta-as-terror-plot-foiled.html#sthash.YTPLyZZL.dpuf
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Monday, 21 December 2015
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