Indonesia Remains Committed to Asean, Envoy Says

Jakarta Globe, Dec 08, 2014

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Indonesian President Joko
 Widodo arrive for the Asean-US Summit at the Myanmar International Convention
Center in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on Nov. 13, 2014. (AFP Photo/Mandel Ngan)

Jakarta. Indonesia remains very committed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and it is involved in finding solutions to the grouping’s problems despite the emphasis of President Joko Widodo’s government on pressing domestic issues, the country’s envoy to the regional bloc said.

In an interview with the Jakarta Globe, Indonesian Ambassador to Asean Rahmat Pramono said many foreign leaders and diplomats were concerned that Indonesia’s preoccupation with domestic issues would see the country scale down its involvement in regional and global matters.

“There are no grounds for these doubts. President Joko Widodo has guaranteed that Indonesia would actively participate in efforts to make the world a more peaceful place,” Rahmat said.

He said Joko was aware of Indonesia’s constitutional duty to play an active role in creating and maintaining world peace.

“As far as Asean is concerned, Indonesia will continue to be actively involved in the community building process,” Rahmat said.

In fact, the ambassador said, his main focus now was preparing for the launch of the Asean Economic Community by the end of next year.

“All our resources are geared to meet the requirements for a regional community, such as the free movement of people, goods and services, as well as closer people-to-people contacts,” he said.

Just after his inauguration in October, Joko attended three crucial global meetings — the APEC meeting in China, the Asean Summit in Myanmar and the Group of 20 Summit in Australia.

Experts have praised Joko’s performance at the gatherings, saying that he showed other leaders that Indonesia would not isolate itself from the world as many have feared.

But Joko has insisted that he would prioritize diplomatic relationships that provide significant benefits for Indonesia.

“Our [foreign] policy is free and active: befriend all countries but [we will put first] those who benefit our people the most,” Joko said. “What’s the point of having many friends but we only get disadvantages? Many friends should bring many benefits.”

His comments follow similar sentiments from Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi last month. The country’s first female foreign minister said “pro-people” diplomacy would be the soul of Indonesia’s foreign policy, a shift from former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s “thousand friends, zero enemies” principle, which was seen in the country’s increasing presence and roles in international forums.

Joko used his time at the Asean Summit to showcase his vision of turning the world’s largest archipelago into a global “maritime axis.” At the G-20 Summit in Brisbane last month, he renewed his vow to make Indonesia’s business climate more investor friendly by implementing tax reforms and cutting fuel subsidies to pay for infrastructure development.

Rahmat said Indonesia’s two foreign policy priorities are securing the country’s territory and protecting its migrant workers abroad.

“We will finalize our border agreements with all Asean countries plus Timor-Leste,” he said.

He added that Indonesia would also push for a legally binding labor treaty within the Asean region.