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Indonesia plays down Australia's rage over drug pair execution

Xinhua, February 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Indonesian government shrugs off the tourism backlash threat by Australia, as Indonesia is going ahead with the execution of two Australian drug smugglers, a minister said here on Monday.

"It is no problem," Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said when asked about the impact of the possible Australian tourist arrival drawdown.

Over one million Australians visited Indonesia last year and it was expected to rise to 1.2 million this year, Yahya said.

The minister said the dispute is between the two governments, which may not impact on the people to people exchange.

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been on death row, being convicted to death penalty in February 2006 for involving in plot to smuggle over eight kg of heroin to Australia from Bali in 2005. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abott has pleaded clemency for the pair to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Endi