Charles Alfred Barnett 'was arrested at his home in Depok last Wednesday,' Jakarta police spokesman Ketut Untung Yoga Ana told reporters, referring to a suburb in the capital.

Mr Ana said that the arrest was made at the request of Australian authorities and Barnett would be handed over for extradition, though he gave no date.

The Koran Tempo newspaper said Barnett, 66, arrived in Indonesia 12 years ago and had been teaching English as well as running a small garment company.

The Indonesian-language daily said that the Australian embassy had requested in 1997 that the Indonesian government help apprehend Barnett, who is wanted for molesting at least six children in Australia between 1977 and 1994.

Police were reportedly investigating whether the suspect had also engaged in paedophilia in Indonesia. -- AFP