Introduction
Much of the Indonesia-Australia citizens have been stunned by both country relations in this year. The execution of Bali Nine and the issue of people smuggling are the cases that are two events that deteriorate the relations between both countries. This short essay has a main purpose to help the readers to understand what went wrong by both countries relations. This short essay has two main points to be delivered to the readers. First, it wants to prove that Australia should be respectful to Indonesia, because cooperating with Indonesia is essential to Australia national interest. Second, Australia needs to improve its way in delivering its concern to Indonesia, by understanding Indonesia’s stance on the Bali Nine execution and People Smuggling. Most of these points are delivered straightly to Australia as an actor that needs to be changed in managing the relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Why Australia should maintain its relation with Indonesia?
The relation between Indonesia-Australia depends on their leader’s agenda and situation on the field. Taking an example from Indonesia-Australia relations during President Sukarno Era, it can be proved that the communism factor has implied to the relation between both countries. As Indonesia in Soekarno era tends to be in Communism blocs and Australia in the other side, it is truly hard for both countries to maintain its cooperation. Sukarno’s insistence on supporting the Communism bloc that is accompanied with his quest for gaining power in executing its policy has harmed the relations between both countries, when Sukarno try to maintain its relations with PKI (Partai Komunis Indonesia) and the Army. In the other side, Australia has to retain its position as an ally for Western countries in the post World-War II, which affects its consideration to maintain its relations with Indonesia. It can be argued that Australia will not fulfill its national interest, when it supports Indonesia in that time. Still, maintaining its full support for Western blocs is more profitable for Australia.
The situation that Indonesia and Australia has to face in 1945-1966 in Soekarno Era is mostly different with now. Both countries do not stand in different blocs clearly, which is quite different with the situation in the Cold War era. Currently, economical issue is mostly considered in a way more important that political issue, even though, still some countries exercise its economic power in term of economic sanction, in order to accomplish its national agenda or to prevent a further crises and problems in the future. It can be argued that Indonesia and Australia do not stand it this position. In this period of time, Australia and Indonesia tend to conduct its economic and political relations as usual, in maintaining the economic growth between each other. It means that the use of sanctions is hardly to be used by both countries, as that is no urgency to use it. Maintaining relations to its neighbor is the best policy for both states.
Currently, Australia is in a way to support its Western allies in the Asia-Pacific region[1], but its stance to maintain mutual benefit relations with its neighbors are far more significant to Australia. Located at Asia-Pacific region, Australia is more nearer to Asian countries rather than its Western allies. Rather than making enemies or involve in hostile relations, it is better for Australia to cooperate with its neighbor. Indonesia is one of its nearest neighbors, which need to be embraced as a partner, rather than future enemy. As a country that is located between two continents and oceans, Indonesia has a strategic value for Australia to become a bridge for them to build a strategic cooperation with the other Asian countries. In term of economic, Indonesia offers strategic economic relations with its neighbor. According to Asian Development Bank, Indonesia can achieve its economic growth into 6.0% in 2016, which is quite high among Southeast Asian countries.[2] In the other side, Indonesia has evolved into a global power with its significant role in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Countries) as a founder, a strategic state in G20 (Group of 20) as the 10th largest economy in the world and the representative from Southeast Asian countries in this forum and some other organizations in the world.[3] Not only that, Indonesia is also a member of the East Asia Summit, APEC< the Indian Ocearn Rim Association (IORA) and MIKTA (comprising Mexico, Inodnesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia), the founding father of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Group of 77.[4] Both countries has cooperate in practical ways on a wide range of international and regional issues particularly in multilateral forums such as the East Asia Summit, the G20 and APEC.[5] Not only have that, in terms of trade relations, Indonesia can be potentially become Australia largest partner in term of economic cooperation. In term of trade, Australia-Indonesia trade relations have significantly growth more than 5% that can be seen below, even though it is not that significant on services trade. With these facts, Australia should establish a solid cooperation with Indonesia.
With the fact above, maintaining relations with Indonesia is clearly important. Indonesia has more than just a friend, but strategic partner for Australia to become a bridge for Indonesia to other countries in Southeast Asia, Asia and others and a potential strategic economic partner in the long term.
Australia needs to be careful on its approaches to Indonesia
As has been explained in the previous part, it has been already explained the reasons on why Australia should maintain its relations with Indonesia. The author believes that Indonesia should be seen as a strategic partner that will bring a benefit to Australia, rather than as a threat. Australia should review its stance in facing Indonesia, after some uncomfortable situation that hampers the relation between both countries. The author chooses two significant issues that have hampered Indonesia-Australia relations, which are: Bali Nine and People Smuggling, in order to observe Australia’s false approach to Indonesia.
First, the execution of Bali Nine has hampered the relations between both governments. Australia should think twice to use diplomatic pressures to Indonesia, which jeopardize the effort from both countries to take major concern in dealing with this case. Prime Minister Tony Abott should be more careful in delivering its diplomatic pressure to fight for their national interest, when he correlated past humanitarian assistance to Aceh with diplomatic pressure. The author finds that both issues are not well elaborated by the Prime Minister, which implies to the public outrage from Indonesia towards his statement. Besides that, the withdrawal of Australian Ambassador to Indonesia has aggravated the relations between both countries. This measure that has been undertaken can harm the past efforts from both countries in establishing solid cooperation among both countries. If this issue is not being solved by both countries, it will imply to bilateral relation in the future.
Second, People Smuggling has also become a major issue that need to be concerned by Indonesia and Australia. Australia had a long and ugly history of imprisoning Indonesian children who had served as crew-members on people-smuggling boats; Australia’s unilateral moves to push asylum-seeker boats back to Indonesia, actively promoted by the immigration minister, rode roughshod over Indonesia’s expressed preference for a multilateral approach to the issue.[7] Australian government need to be understood that Indonesia has its own limitation in this case. Sending back the illegal immigrants to the Indonesia will not further help both countries in solving the case, because it does not tackle the root causes of illegal immigrant itself. Throwing its responsibility to Indonesia will not solve the problem. Australia’s reluctance on understanding Indonesia’s position and capability in handling the issue, by sending back the immigrants can trigger a question towards their action, which have a tendency to accuse Indonesia for their incapability in handling the issue. Basically, Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 and 1967 conventions on Refugees, which means that if Indonesia refuse the refugee is acceptable. However, Indonesia still tries to maintain their good will, by cooperating with Australia on Bali Process in stopping the flux of illegal immigrant to Indonesia. Until 2013, there are 10.593 illegal immigrant cases in Indonesia that is hardly to be solved by Indonesia government until today.[8] Indonesia efforts –despite has not effective to deal with illegal immigrants needs to be appreciated, rather than being criticized. Australia government need to use a better approach in handling this issue.
Australia government needs to be careful with their own action in settling both issue with Indonesia. Careless approaches and controversial actions to Indonesia as Australia’s important partner will bring a negative perception to Indonesia, which is harmful for the relations between both countries. It is not worthy for Australia to forfeit its strategic partner only in the short term, not long term.
Bridging the Differences and Maintaining the Cooperation
Australia government should bear in mind the importance of bridging the differences, since conflict to its strategic partner will not bring any further benefit to them. Bridging the difference and maintaining the cooperation are the main principle that should be preserved in reaching this point. There are only one thing that Australia should bear in mind in getting Indonesia’s heart to foster the relations between both countries. The key principle is understanding and respecting Indonesia’s stance.
Understanding and respecting Indonesia stance on some agenda is significant. In the first case, President Joko Widodo has emphasized the significant impact of narcotics to Indonesian societies. Rather than making a confrontation on Indonesia government, it is significantly better if Australia government can show a good will in respecting Indonesia’s stance, while negotiating its concern to Indonesia. It is already proven that Indonesia remains on its stance from the government’s statement in Bali Nine case. Respecting Indonesia’s stance, while negotiating is in a way better as the Philippines government has shown. In the second case, understanding Indonesia’s position is important –it has been elaborated in the previous part. Australia needs to appreciate Indonesia’s commitment in dealing with the issue. It is better to help, rather than criticize Indonesia on this point. If Australian can fully comprehend on this principle, it is not impossible that Indonesia and Australia relations can be better in the future.
Bibliography
Maley, William & Nugroho, Bambang Hartadi. “Australia-Indonesia relations: Finding a path
forward.” The Jakarta Post. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/18/australia-indonesia-relations-finding-a-path-forward.html
“Fact Sheet about Indonesia.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government.
Accessed June 30, 2015. dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/indo.pdf
“Indonesia Country Brief.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government.
Accessed June 30, 2015. http://dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/Pages/indonesia-country-brief.aspx
“Indonesia: Economy.” Asian Development Bank. Accessed June 30, 2015.
http://www.adb.org/countries/indonesia/economy
“World Bank: Indonesia World’s 10th Largest Economy.” The Jakarta Globe. Last modified May 4,
2014. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/world-bank-indonesia-worlds-10th-largest-economy/
“10.593 Kasus Imigran Ilegal Masuk Perairan Indonesia.” Republika. Last modified November 6,
2013. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/jawa-tengah-diy-nasional/13/11/06/mvuci6-10593-kasus-imigran-ilegal-masuk-perairan-indonesia
[1] It can be shown by the notion of putting US Military Base in Darwin, even though it cannot be fully proven. Until now, both countries still maintain military cooperation between them.
[2] “Indonesia: Economy,” Asian Development Bank, accessed June 30, 2015,
http://www.adb.org/countries/indonesia/economy
[3] “World Bank: Indonesia World’s 10th Largest Economy,” The Jakarta Globe, last modified May 4, 2014, accessed June 30, 2015, http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/world-bank-indonesia-worlds-10th-largest-economy/
[4] “Indonesia Country Brief,” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government, accessed June 30, 2015,
http://dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/Pages/indonesia-country-brief.aspx
[5] Ibid.
[6] “Fact Sheet about Indonesia,” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government, accessed June 30, 2015, dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/indo.pdf
[7] William Maley & Bambang Hartadi Nugroho, “Australia-Indonesia relations: Finding a path forward,” The Jakarta Post, accessed June 30, 2015, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/18/australia-indonesia-relations-finding-a-path-forward.html
[8] “10.593 Kasus Imigran Ilegal Masuk Perairan Indonesia,” Republika, last modified November 6, 2013, accessed June 30, 2015, http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/jawa-tengah-diy-nasional/13/11/06/mvuci6-10593-kasus-imigran-ilegal-masuk-perairan-indonesia
Much of the Indonesia-Australia citizens have been stunned by both country relations in this year. The execution of Bali Nine and the issue of people smuggling are the cases that are two events that deteriorate the relations between both countries. This short essay has a main purpose to help the readers to understand what went wrong by both countries relations. This short essay has two main points to be delivered to the readers. First, it wants to prove that Australia should be respectful to Indonesia, because cooperating with Indonesia is essential to Australia national interest. Second, Australia needs to improve its way in delivering its concern to Indonesia, by understanding Indonesia’s stance on the Bali Nine execution and People Smuggling. Most of these points are delivered straightly to Australia as an actor that needs to be changed in managing the relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Why Australia should maintain its relation with Indonesia?
The relation between Indonesia-Australia depends on their leader’s agenda and situation on the field. Taking an example from Indonesia-Australia relations during President Sukarno Era, it can be proved that the communism factor has implied to the relation between both countries. As Indonesia in Soekarno era tends to be in Communism blocs and Australia in the other side, it is truly hard for both countries to maintain its cooperation. Sukarno’s insistence on supporting the Communism bloc that is accompanied with his quest for gaining power in executing its policy has harmed the relations between both countries, when Sukarno try to maintain its relations with PKI (Partai Komunis Indonesia) and the Army. In the other side, Australia has to retain its position as an ally for Western countries in the post World-War II, which affects its consideration to maintain its relations with Indonesia. It can be argued that Australia will not fulfill its national interest, when it supports Indonesia in that time. Still, maintaining its full support for Western blocs is more profitable for Australia.
The situation that Indonesia and Australia has to face in 1945-1966 in Soekarno Era is mostly different with now. Both countries do not stand in different blocs clearly, which is quite different with the situation in the Cold War era. Currently, economical issue is mostly considered in a way more important that political issue, even though, still some countries exercise its economic power in term of economic sanction, in order to accomplish its national agenda or to prevent a further crises and problems in the future. It can be argued that Indonesia and Australia do not stand it this position. In this period of time, Australia and Indonesia tend to conduct its economic and political relations as usual, in maintaining the economic growth between each other. It means that the use of sanctions is hardly to be used by both countries, as that is no urgency to use it. Maintaining relations to its neighbor is the best policy for both states.
Currently, Australia is in a way to support its Western allies in the Asia-Pacific region[1], but its stance to maintain mutual benefit relations with its neighbors are far more significant to Australia. Located at Asia-Pacific region, Australia is more nearer to Asian countries rather than its Western allies. Rather than making enemies or involve in hostile relations, it is better for Australia to cooperate with its neighbor. Indonesia is one of its nearest neighbors, which need to be embraced as a partner, rather than future enemy. As a country that is located between two continents and oceans, Indonesia has a strategic value for Australia to become a bridge for them to build a strategic cooperation with the other Asian countries. In term of economic, Indonesia offers strategic economic relations with its neighbor. According to Asian Development Bank, Indonesia can achieve its economic growth into 6.0% in 2016, which is quite high among Southeast Asian countries.[2] In the other side, Indonesia has evolved into a global power with its significant role in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Countries) as a founder, a strategic state in G20 (Group of 20) as the 10th largest economy in the world and the representative from Southeast Asian countries in this forum and some other organizations in the world.[3] Not only that, Indonesia is also a member of the East Asia Summit, APEC< the Indian Ocearn Rim Association (IORA) and MIKTA (comprising Mexico, Inodnesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia), the founding father of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Group of 77.[4] Both countries has cooperate in practical ways on a wide range of international and regional issues particularly in multilateral forums such as the East Asia Summit, the G20 and APEC.[5] Not only have that, in terms of trade relations, Indonesia can be potentially become Australia largest partner in term of economic cooperation. In term of trade, Australia-Indonesia trade relations have significantly growth more than 5% that can be seen below, even though it is not that significant on services trade. With these facts, Australia should establish a solid cooperation with Indonesia.
With the fact above, maintaining relations with Indonesia is clearly important. Indonesia has more than just a friend, but strategic partner for Australia to become a bridge for Indonesia to other countries in Southeast Asia, Asia and others and a potential strategic economic partner in the long term.
Australia needs to be careful on its approaches to Indonesia
As has been explained in the previous part, it has been already explained the reasons on why Australia should maintain its relations with Indonesia. The author believes that Indonesia should be seen as a strategic partner that will bring a benefit to Australia, rather than as a threat. Australia should review its stance in facing Indonesia, after some uncomfortable situation that hampers the relation between both countries. The author chooses two significant issues that have hampered Indonesia-Australia relations, which are: Bali Nine and People Smuggling, in order to observe Australia’s false approach to Indonesia.
First, the execution of Bali Nine has hampered the relations between both governments. Australia should think twice to use diplomatic pressures to Indonesia, which jeopardize the effort from both countries to take major concern in dealing with this case. Prime Minister Tony Abott should be more careful in delivering its diplomatic pressure to fight for their national interest, when he correlated past humanitarian assistance to Aceh with diplomatic pressure. The author finds that both issues are not well elaborated by the Prime Minister, which implies to the public outrage from Indonesia towards his statement. Besides that, the withdrawal of Australian Ambassador to Indonesia has aggravated the relations between both countries. This measure that has been undertaken can harm the past efforts from both countries in establishing solid cooperation among both countries. If this issue is not being solved by both countries, it will imply to bilateral relation in the future.
Second, People Smuggling has also become a major issue that need to be concerned by Indonesia and Australia. Australia had a long and ugly history of imprisoning Indonesian children who had served as crew-members on people-smuggling boats; Australia’s unilateral moves to push asylum-seeker boats back to Indonesia, actively promoted by the immigration minister, rode roughshod over Indonesia’s expressed preference for a multilateral approach to the issue.[7] Australian government need to be understood that Indonesia has its own limitation in this case. Sending back the illegal immigrants to the Indonesia will not further help both countries in solving the case, because it does not tackle the root causes of illegal immigrant itself. Throwing its responsibility to Indonesia will not solve the problem. Australia’s reluctance on understanding Indonesia’s position and capability in handling the issue, by sending back the immigrants can trigger a question towards their action, which have a tendency to accuse Indonesia for their incapability in handling the issue. Basically, Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 and 1967 conventions on Refugees, which means that if Indonesia refuse the refugee is acceptable. However, Indonesia still tries to maintain their good will, by cooperating with Australia on Bali Process in stopping the flux of illegal immigrant to Indonesia. Until 2013, there are 10.593 illegal immigrant cases in Indonesia that is hardly to be solved by Indonesia government until today.[8] Indonesia efforts –despite has not effective to deal with illegal immigrants needs to be appreciated, rather than being criticized. Australia government need to use a better approach in handling this issue.
Australia government needs to be careful with their own action in settling both issue with Indonesia. Careless approaches and controversial actions to Indonesia as Australia’s important partner will bring a negative perception to Indonesia, which is harmful for the relations between both countries. It is not worthy for Australia to forfeit its strategic partner only in the short term, not long term.
Bridging the Differences and Maintaining the Cooperation
Australia government should bear in mind the importance of bridging the differences, since conflict to its strategic partner will not bring any further benefit to them. Bridging the difference and maintaining the cooperation are the main principle that should be preserved in reaching this point. There are only one thing that Australia should bear in mind in getting Indonesia’s heart to foster the relations between both countries. The key principle is understanding and respecting Indonesia’s stance.
Understanding and respecting Indonesia stance on some agenda is significant. In the first case, President Joko Widodo has emphasized the significant impact of narcotics to Indonesian societies. Rather than making a confrontation on Indonesia government, it is significantly better if Australia government can show a good will in respecting Indonesia’s stance, while negotiating its concern to Indonesia. It is already proven that Indonesia remains on its stance from the government’s statement in Bali Nine case. Respecting Indonesia’s stance, while negotiating is in a way better as the Philippines government has shown. In the second case, understanding Indonesia’s position is important –it has been elaborated in the previous part. Australia needs to appreciate Indonesia’s commitment in dealing with the issue. It is better to help, rather than criticize Indonesia on this point. If Australian can fully comprehend on this principle, it is not impossible that Indonesia and Australia relations can be better in the future.
Bibliography
Maley, William & Nugroho, Bambang Hartadi. “Australia-Indonesia relations: Finding a path
forward.” The Jakarta Post. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/18/australia-indonesia-relations-finding-a-path-forward.html
“Fact Sheet about Indonesia.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government.
Accessed June 30, 2015. dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/indo.pdf
“Indonesia Country Brief.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government.
Accessed June 30, 2015. http://dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/Pages/indonesia-country-brief.aspx
“Indonesia: Economy.” Asian Development Bank. Accessed June 30, 2015.
http://www.adb.org/countries/indonesia/economy
“World Bank: Indonesia World’s 10th Largest Economy.” The Jakarta Globe. Last modified May 4,
2014. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/world-bank-indonesia-worlds-10th-largest-economy/
“10.593 Kasus Imigran Ilegal Masuk Perairan Indonesia.” Republika. Last modified November 6,
2013. Accessed June 30, 2015. http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/jawa-tengah-diy-nasional/13/11/06/mvuci6-10593-kasus-imigran-ilegal-masuk-perairan-indonesia
[1] It can be shown by the notion of putting US Military Base in Darwin, even though it cannot be fully proven. Until now, both countries still maintain military cooperation between them.
[2] “Indonesia: Economy,” Asian Development Bank, accessed June 30, 2015,
http://www.adb.org/countries/indonesia/economy
[3] “World Bank: Indonesia World’s 10th Largest Economy,” The Jakarta Globe, last modified May 4, 2014, accessed June 30, 2015, http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/world-bank-indonesia-worlds-10th-largest-economy/
[4] “Indonesia Country Brief,” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government, accessed June 30, 2015,
http://dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/Pages/indonesia-country-brief.aspx
[5] Ibid.
[6] “Fact Sheet about Indonesia,” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia Government, accessed June 30, 2015, dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/Documents/indo.pdf
[7] William Maley & Bambang Hartadi Nugroho, “Australia-Indonesia relations: Finding a path forward,” The Jakarta Post, accessed June 30, 2015, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/18/australia-indonesia-relations-finding-a-path-forward.html
[8] “10.593 Kasus Imigran Ilegal Masuk Perairan Indonesia,” Republika, last modified November 6, 2013, accessed June 30, 2015, http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/jawa-tengah-diy-nasional/13/11/06/mvuci6-10593-kasus-imigran-ilegal-masuk-perairan-indonesia
0 Comments