Indonesia’s Foreign and Security Policy
09 Feb, 2009 · 2798
Report of the IPCS Seminar held at the India International Center on 23 January 2009
Chair: Amb Navrekha Sharma, Former Indian Ambassador to Indonesia
Speaker: Theo L Sambuaga, Member of Indonesian Parliament
Discussant: Prof Baladas Ghoshal, Visiting Professor Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Amb Navrekha Sharma
Another important question before India is about Indonesia’s future, about where it is headed. Despite being a Muslim-majority country, Indonesia’s constitution is not Islamic but a panchsheela constitution laden with secular principles. However, the question related to pluralism has being debated frequently and the pluralists have won the debate always. Will Indonesia succeed as a uniquely panchsheela state, open in its religious beliefs or will the twice-rejected Jakarta Charter prevail? Another critical question is about the Indonesian elite - while they are westernized and secular, they constitute a small percentage of the population. How active will they be in shaping the politics of their country?
Indonesia has in recent times gained international recognition and admiration for three main reasons: the conviction and the hanging of the three chief culprits of Bali bombing last year; the manner in which the 2005 post-tsunami situation was handled; and its efforts to resolve the Aceh problem.
India is also facing the problem of terrorism (internal and external) and regional insurgency, so both the countries can share experiences.
Theo L Sambuaga
Indonesian national interest in the context of security policy accords importance to upholding the territorial integrity of states. The main threat perceptions to its security include military aggression, terrorism, border violations, separatism and communal conflict.
The main problem for Indonesia comes from inside - communal tensions, the roots of which are related to social injustices prevailing in the country. ASEAN was formed to achieve the goals of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and to form an economic cultural community. Indonesia along with other ASEAN counterparts pushed Myanmar to restore democracy.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a mechanism by which India and Indonesia can improve relations as both the countries are full-time members. Indonesia has defense cooperation with India and is also looking forward to military education, training, and defense procurement from India as it has ships, and other resources which are required by Indonesia. These can serve as confidence-building measures and help the two countries to further their national interest in addition to dialogue.
Indonesia has a low capacity for defense expenditures. The current Indonesian defense budget despite its huge territory and population is only 0.8 per cent of its GDP – very low compared to other countries. In the US, defence accounts for 3 per cent of its GDP, in India 2.6 per cent, in Australia 2 per cent, in Vietnam 6.3 per cent, and in Malaysia 2.2 per cent.
Presently Indonesia is the third biggest democracy in the world after India and the US. Major reforms were introduced in1999 and ever since then efforts were made to secure democracy and human rights. Although violation of human rights and democracy continue o take place, steps are being taken to promote the same. For example, in the 2004 elections, the governors of all the districts were elected by the people directly.
On the Six-Party Talks on the issue of nuclear weapon development by North Korea, Indonesia would like to see peaceful development of North Korea and the abandonment of its nuclear programme. In the Middle East, on the recent attack in Gaza by Israel, Indonesia supports comprehensive peace talks and an assurance that Palestine will have genuine independence and territorial integrity.
With regards to climate change, India is very active in its effort to resolve the problem of climate change. Indonesia has also joined hands with India and other countries to deal with the problems related to it. Indonesia also hosted a seminar in 2008 on climate change.
On the problem of terrorism, the Indonesian people, government and non-governmental organizations are all committed to the fight against it. Indonesia believes that one of the aspects of terrorism is the international networking of terrorism. In the Bali bombing case, three chief culprits were hanged, dozens of them were sent to jail for 20 years and many of them are still undergoing trail. Some of the people associate terrorism with Islamic radicalism but it should be realized that there is no connection between the two.
Indonesia faces a border issue with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Singapore, Philippines. With the cooperation of ASEAN counterparts and neighboring countries, concrete steps can be taken to sort this out.
Baladas Ghoshal
There is a sea change in Indonesia’s policy during Soeharto’s period (1967-1998) and post the 1999 reforms. While earlier foreign and security policies were the domain of a few people, today each and every issue is discussed in parliament.
The main threats for Indonesia still emanates from within. Some threats exists because of over-centralization of Indonesian government. The problem of outsider also creates problems for the central authority. The elections in the next year have a possibility of creating instability.
Indonesia views its foreign and security policies through three concentric circles: first circle is the ASEAN; second circle is constituted by ASEAN +3; and the third concentric circle includes outside superpowers like the US. During the time of Soeharto, there was a tradition of being anti-China but soon Indonesia’s relations with China improved. Indonesia has now come up with a new tradition of anti-Americanism. This point needs elaboration as how Indonesia can counter such problems.
Indonesia is being critical about Myanmar and also has imposed sanctions against it. But here, Indonesia should play an important role along with ASEAN counterparts and India to persuade Western countries to lift sanctions for a time, get some response from the regime and then take further steps in order to break the deadlock in Myanmar.
While Indonesia follows a secular constitution and it is reluctant to collaborate with any Muslim countries, it is important to realize that the crisis is not between civilizations but within civilizations. Indonesia is currently passing through the same democratic problems that India has already passed through. India has been able to evolve a mechanism for centre-state relationships and believes in the concept of unity in diversity. India is a Hindu majority country with a sizeable Muslim population just as Indonesia is a Muslim majority country with many Hindus and Buddhists. So this concept is unique and Indonesia should evolve the process of blending as India has.
Lastly, the lack of a strategic dialogue between the two countries needs to be highlighted. There is a need to have a pro-active policy in order to stabilize the region. Indonesia looks more towards China and Russia in terms of supply whereas India is looked as an alternative. Better strategic relations between both the countries can help improve bilateral partnerships in a variety of areas.
Speaker: Theo L Sambuaga, Member of Indonesian Parliament
Discussant: Prof Baladas Ghoshal, Visiting Professor Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Amb Navrekha Sharma
The primary question before us today is why Indonesia is important for India. The two countries share a long maritime border and Indonesia is just 90 kms away from the eastern-most part of the Andamans. Indonesia is the fourth largest country of the world with 17,000 islands and is one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. Besides, its location and population are other similar features that stress Indonesia’s importance which India will do well not to ignore. A lot of people have described Indonesia as reluctant or invisible giant but India needs to extend its relations with the most powerful country in Southeast Asia by making Indonesia its strategic partner.
Another important question before India is about Indonesia’s future, about where it is headed. Despite being a Muslim-majority country, Indonesia’s constitution is not Islamic but a panchsheela constitution laden with secular principles. However, the question related to pluralism has being debated frequently and the pluralists have won the debate always. Will Indonesia succeed as a uniquely panchsheela state, open in its religious beliefs or will the twice-rejected Jakarta Charter prevail? Another critical question is about the Indonesian elite - while they are westernized and secular, they constitute a small percentage of the population. How active will they be in shaping the politics of their country?
Indonesia has in recent times gained international recognition and admiration for three main reasons: the conviction and the hanging of the three chief culprits of Bali bombing last year; the manner in which the 2005 post-tsunami situation was handled; and its efforts to resolve the Aceh problem.
India is also facing the problem of terrorism (internal and external) and regional insurgency, so both the countries can share experiences.
Theo L Sambuaga
Indonesian national interest in the context of security policy accords importance to upholding the territorial integrity of states. The main threat perceptions to its security include military aggression, terrorism, border violations, separatism and communal conflict.
The main problem for Indonesia comes from inside - communal tensions, the roots of which are related to social injustices prevailing in the country. ASEAN was formed to achieve the goals of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and to form an economic cultural community. Indonesia along with other ASEAN counterparts pushed Myanmar to restore democracy.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a mechanism by which India and Indonesia can improve relations as both the countries are full-time members. Indonesia has defense cooperation with India and is also looking forward to military education, training, and defense procurement from India as it has ships, and other resources which are required by Indonesia. These can serve as confidence-building measures and help the two countries to further their national interest in addition to dialogue.
Indonesia has a low capacity for defense expenditures. The current Indonesian defense budget despite its huge territory and population is only 0.8 per cent of its GDP – very low compared to other countries. In the US, defence accounts for 3 per cent of its GDP, in India 2.6 per cent, in Australia 2 per cent, in Vietnam 6.3 per cent, and in Malaysia 2.2 per cent.
Presently Indonesia is the third biggest democracy in the world after India and the US. Major reforms were introduced in1999 and ever since then efforts were made to secure democracy and human rights. Although violation of human rights and democracy continue o take place, steps are being taken to promote the same. For example, in the 2004 elections, the governors of all the districts were elected by the people directly.
On the Six-Party Talks on the issue of nuclear weapon development by North Korea, Indonesia would like to see peaceful development of North Korea and the abandonment of its nuclear programme. In the Middle East, on the recent attack in Gaza by Israel, Indonesia supports comprehensive peace talks and an assurance that Palestine will have genuine independence and territorial integrity.
With regards to climate change, India is very active in its effort to resolve the problem of climate change. Indonesia has also joined hands with India and other countries to deal with the problems related to it. Indonesia also hosted a seminar in 2008 on climate change.
On the problem of terrorism, the Indonesian people, government and non-governmental organizations are all committed to the fight against it. Indonesia believes that one of the aspects of terrorism is the international networking of terrorism. In the Bali bombing case, three chief culprits were hanged, dozens of them were sent to jail for 20 years and many of them are still undergoing trail. Some of the people associate terrorism with Islamic radicalism but it should be realized that there is no connection between the two.
Indonesia faces a border issue with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Singapore, Philippines. With the cooperation of ASEAN counterparts and neighboring countries, concrete steps can be taken to sort this out.
Baladas Ghoshal
There is a sea change in Indonesia’s policy during Soeharto’s period (1967-1998) and post the 1999 reforms. While earlier foreign and security policies were the domain of a few people, today each and every issue is discussed in parliament.
The main threats for Indonesia still emanates from within. Some threats exists because of over-centralization of Indonesian government. The problem of outsider also creates problems for the central authority. The elections in the next year have a possibility of creating instability.
Indonesia views its foreign and security policies through three concentric circles: first circle is the ASEAN; second circle is constituted by ASEAN +3; and the third concentric circle includes outside superpowers like the US. During the time of Soeharto, there was a tradition of being anti-China but soon Indonesia’s relations with China improved. Indonesia has now come up with a new tradition of anti-Americanism. This point needs elaboration as how Indonesia can counter such problems.
Indonesia is being critical about Myanmar and also has imposed sanctions against it. But here, Indonesia should play an important role along with ASEAN counterparts and India to persuade Western countries to lift sanctions for a time, get some response from the regime and then take further steps in order to break the deadlock in Myanmar.
While Indonesia follows a secular constitution and it is reluctant to collaborate with any Muslim countries, it is important to realize that the crisis is not between civilizations but within civilizations. Indonesia is currently passing through the same democratic problems that India has already passed through. India has been able to evolve a mechanism for centre-state relationships and believes in the concept of unity in diversity. India is a Hindu majority country with a sizeable Muslim population just as Indonesia is a Muslim majority country with many Hindus and Buddhists. So this concept is unique and Indonesia should evolve the process of blending as India has.
Lastly, the lack of a strategic dialogue between the two countries needs to be highlighted. There is a need to have a pro-active policy in order to stabilize the region. Indonesia looks more towards China and Russia in terms of supply whereas India is looked as an alternative. Better strategic relations between both the countries can help improve bilateral partnerships in a variety of areas.
DISCUSSION
Comments
- Does Indonesia have some space to cooperate with other maritime countries like India in the Straits of Malacca?
- There is a need to strengthen defence cooperation between India and Indonesia.
- How does Indonesia or ASEAN view the recent Chinese public confirmation that it was “seriously considering” building an aircraft carrier?
- What are the prospects of parliamentary exchange between India and Indonesia?
- How do you view Myanmar military’s role and its democracy?
Responses
- The maritime issue is very critical to Indonesia. India can also deploy patrol ships or attack ships in the Straits like the other countries. However participation should be in the categories of sending equipment or sharing information for except the littoral states where personnel participation is allowed, Indonesia does not encourage other countries to send personnel to the Straits.
- There are opportunities for defense cooperation such as military training, military officials exchanging visits and intelligence cooperation. Indonesia is very open to strengthening cooperation with India.
- Indonesia and ASEAN are concerned about China’s naval plans. While every sovereign country has a right to have its own defense equipment, there are internal discussions regarding the Chinese motivations. If China clearly manifests its aims and reassures other countries about these, there is nothing to really worry about. For achieving mutual acceptance and trust, we need to talk in the regional setting, as at the ARF.
- Exchange between parliament delegations should be encouraged. That is a good suggestion. Indonesia and India bilateral group exchanges already take place in other areas.
- The role of Myanmar’s military in the past was very critical to its domestic policies. However, it seems now to be different from the past. Myanmar should walk with world towards democracy and work towards good governance. ASEAN and the international community need to put more effort in Myanmar. The idea of a Southeast version of Six-Party Talks is welcome in this context. Indonesia, India, China, Japan and another South East Asian country would be the best grouping.
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