Third is to rebalance regional and national goals. Indonesia should be prepared to pronounce its strategic vision of the region. The next election will have to start addressing the regional situation. This has to be reflected in balanced communication for both domestic audience and international partners.
Rebalancing and Ahead
The inward-looking impression of GMF is a consequence of various domestic and international pressures. The slowdown of global economy requires new approach to stimulate growth, and infrastructure development is a potent enabler. Therefore, a welfare state policy is a must especially ahead of an election.
In the long run, Indonesia will benefit from rebalancing policy given its geostrategic position. Significant change in the international environment will greatly influence our development. Being an international maritime intersection, conflict in waters within and surrounding Indonesia will impact greatly on Indonesia. Our forefront islands will first feel the impacts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), as a constitutional ministry, will have to ensure GMF meet the constitutional mandate. MFA should continue to frame the GMF within a strategic perspective. Informing the political leadership of where and how Indonesia should position itself ahead of political cycles is a daunting and constitutional duty. MFA is also well-positioned to ensure that strategic partnership become concrete development in alignment to national interests.
[i] (Para 2, Article 1 of the Presidential Decree on Indonesian Ocean Policy)
[iii]Â Foreign Minister's Annual Speech of 2017
