JAKARTA: Indonesia's government appears willing to discuss prisoner swap deals with Australia and other countries, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa reportedly said. She was also reported by local media as saying the transfer of people “is a good thing.” Natalegawa told Australian journalists during an interview in Jakarta that the country was in talks with Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and France about prisoners. “We get it. I get it. The transfer of people is a good thing,” Natalegawa said, the Australian Financial Review reported Tuesday. “We are comparing notes with other countries, the lessons learnt, and understanding the Australian experience. These discussions are still ongoing… but we see benefits. “I hope this issue can be settled sooner rather than later.” Australia has said it is keen to see high-profile prisoners including drug smuggler Schapelle Corby brought home to finish her sentence, while Indonesia has low-level smugglers, many young and uneducated, in Australian jails. “We must empathise with each others' outlook,” Natalegawa said. “The transfer of sentenced people has developed and evolved. Such a transfer would not be bespoke for one or two people; it would be good for the long term.” The issue of boat people has also been a thorn in Canberra's close relationship with Indonesia, with many poorly-equipped boats laden with asylum-seekers using the Asian country as a staging post for their journey to Australia.
