Indonesia Threatens Oz With A 'Human Tsunami'

A senior Indonesian minister has warned a "human tsunami" of asylum seekers will be unleashed on Australia if it keeps pursuing clemency for two drug smugglers.

Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33, are due to be executed by firing squad after being convicted of drug smuggling in Bali 10 years ago.

But a growing campaign to save the Australians has angered Indonesia, with security minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno warning its neighbour over asylum seekers.

"Indonesia has done a lot in preventing illegal migrants from other countries from going to Australia," he was quoted as saying by Indonesian media.

"If Canberra keeps acting this way, Jakarta will certainly release migrants wanting to go to Australia.

"There are over 10,000 currently in Indonesia.

"If they are released and we let them go to Australia, it will be like a human tsunami."

Australia has struggled with increasing numbers of asylum seekers who reach its shores in rickety boats, often travelling through transit hubs in Indonesia.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has responded by saying he was not in the "business of picking fights with anyone".

But Mr Abbott has already caused widespread anger in Indonesia in the spat over the drug smugglers' looming execution.

Last month, he appeared to tie his country's aid to the drug smugglers' fate when he urged Indonesia to remember the $1bn contribution Australia made in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

Indonesia's foreign ministry said the remarks were "threats" and not part of diplomatic language.

Protesters shouting "shut Abbott's mouth" delivered bags of coins to the Australian embassy in Indonesia, saying they were handing back tsunami aid money.

Sukumaran and Chan were found guilty in 2005 of being the ringleaders of the so-called "Bali Nine" drug smuggling gang.

Last week they were moved to the prison island where they will be killed and their families have been visiting them there.

The pair are among nine foreigners that Indonesia says it will execute soon.

Richard Branson has thrown his support behind the campaign to grant them clemency in a letter to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"Granting clemency would be a humane and righteous act, and a first step towards sensible reform that could become a shining example for the entire Asian region," said the Virgin boss, who sits on the Global Commission on Drug Policy.