Indonesia pressed on relief flight 'bribery'

The Government wants Indonesia to explain reports that wealthy refugees bribed their way on board a Royal New Zealand Air Force flight out of tsunami-hit Aceh province.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff has asked New Zealand's embassy in Jakarta to investigate the claim.

The allegation was reported in Australia's Bulletin magazine and America's Newsweek and was published on January 15 in the Herald.

It was claimed about half the refugees aboard an Aceh-to-Jakarta cargo flight were well dressed and had paid up to US$80 ($115) to Indonesian military to be allowed on.

Mr Goff told National Radio yesterday that the allegations were just that and would be investigated.

"We don't have any evidence to that effect but in the circumstances, of course, you couldn't rule that out.

"If Indonesian officials or military personnel were involved with corruption - and corruption is endemic in Indonesia - we would expect action to be taken against them."

He said instead of flying the Hercules out empty, refugees were taken but the Defence Force relied on others to say who was allowed.

Defence Force spokeswoman Commander Sandy McKie said it had been up to the Indonesian authorities who boarded the aircraft.

"They determined who went on the flight. We couldn't possibly hope to be any part of that process. How can we as the New Zealand Defence Force determine who is a legitimate passenger and who isn't?"

Priorities over space had been agreed with Indonesia.

First priority was relief cargo, followed by military passengers, freight and people from non-government organisations, and finally displaced people.

Commander McKie said refugees were refugees, however they dressed.

"Even if you were well dressed, if you still lost your home and you were still a displaced person you have still got that right to access that flight."

Green MP Keith Locke called for a full investigation, saying New Zealand had a duty to help clean up military corruption in Indonesia.

"New Zealanders dug deep to help the relief effort and want to be assured their donations will not line the pockets of Indonesian soldiers."

Commander McKie said the Air Force had flown 652 people, mostly refugees, out of Aceh since the Hercules arrived in Indonesia on December 30. It was not known when the Hercules would come home.

Air Force Hercules

* Arrived in Indonesia on Dec 30.

* Has flown 652 people, mainly refugees, out of Banda Aceh.

* Has flown 100,000kg of freight to the province.