Former Indonesian Navy Chief Receives Australian Honour

One of Indonesia’s most senior naval leaders has been presented with an Australian honour at a ceremony in Jakarta.

Indonesia’s immediate past former Chief of Navy, Admiral DR Marsetio has been appointed as an honorary officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division), in recognition of his tireless work to enhance defence ties between Indonesia and Australia.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said the award recognises Admiral Marsetio’s distinguished career, and in particular his integral role in facilitating coordination and collaboration between the two defence forces over an extended period.

“The citation singles out Admiral Marsetio’s work in re-establishing regular exercises between the TNI-AL and the Royal Australian Navy, operational ‘coordinated patrols’, and pragmatic and open defence diplomacy at difficult points in 1999 and 2014, hence sustained military statesmanship and leadership,” Ambassador Grigson said.

“It also recognises the Admiral’s efforts to modernise the Indonesian Navy which has made it a leading maritime force in the Asian region,” he said.
An Order of Australia (AO) recognises outstanding achievement and service. Very few of these honours are awarded each year, and even fewer are awarded to foreign dignitaries.

The Chiefs of Australia’s Navy and the TNI-AL recently signed an agreement to bolster maritime cooperation and security in the region. Both navies have conducted coordinated air and sea patrols in recent months to safeguard our joint exclusive Economic Zone Boundary and to protect both Indonesia and Australia from illegal marine resource exploitation, and contribute to regional security.