President Jokowi and Indonesia's Cabinet Step Onto the World Stage
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (front L) shakes hands with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center R) during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) on November 7, 2014 in Beijing, China. (Greg Baker/Getty Images)
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (widely known as Jokowi) and his newly appointed cabinet will take their first steps onto the world stage at a series of key meetings over the next two weeks: the APEC Summit, East Asia Summit, and G20 Leaders Meeting. For the president and several of his cabinet ministers, this will be a new experience. Jokowi — the popular former furniture maker — has no international experience to speak of and has never served as a minister or member of a national cabinet.
But Jokowi surprised everyone already by winning the presidency, and Indonesians warmly and enthusiastically embraced “the Jokowi effect.” The story of a commoner who rises to the presidency resonates well in many parts of the world, especially America. At the upcoming summits, we will learn how Jokowi’s dynamism and popularity will translate to the international stage at the highest levels.
In the short term, missteps and mistakes can be expected. Indonesia faces increasingly complex geostrategic issues, including regional disputes, ASEAN economic integration, climate change, maritime security, and terrorism. Aaron Connelly of the Lowy Institute correctly notes that Jokowi “does not appear to come to the presidency with any strong views about Indonesia’s place in the world, or any particular passion for the subject.” Jokowi also faces a difficult domestic environment, with the opposition parties holding majority control of parliament, which could distract him from the important international issues.
Both Indonesia and the world need a bolder and more assertive Indonesia, a confident leader in Southeast Asia. Initial successes by Jokowi and his team can help position Indonesia for the long term.
In his inaugural address, Jokowi announced an ambitious plan to expand the country’s foreign policy agenda, particularly in the area of maritime security. China’s recent publication of a map showing that its territorial claims include Indonesia’s Natuna Island has already brought Indonesia into the regional dispute in the South China Sea.
This also comes at a time Jokowi has announced an Indonesian aspiration to become a “global maritime nexus.” This is fitting with a role of regional leadership, but goes beyond its existing capacities. The country will need cooperation from regional partners such as ASEAN and the United States.
In addition, as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia will be the keystone for ASEAN economic integration. Southeast Asian integration can only proceed at the pace of reforms implemented by its largest economy, Indonesia.
All in all, this is a challenging agenda. The October 26 announcement of Indonesia’s cabinet provides some signs of how the President’s vision will meet its administration.
A strong cabinet would have been an important part of getting the Jokowi administration off to a fast start on this challenging agenda. Although his team could be Indonesia’s cleanest cabinet — having been screened by the Anti-corruption Commission and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center before being appointed — most of the selected ministers are short of international experience and prestige compared to previous Indonesian governments. The cabinet is dominated by technocrats on the economic team and gives big roles to politically connected figures in other areas.
On the economic team, Sofyan Djalil, a successful private business consultant and two-time former cabinet minister, should provide a steady hand as coordinating minister for the economy. However, Jokowi’s choice for finance minister, former academic and deputy finance minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, has limited experience on the international stage. He lacks the experiences of earlier finance ministers such as Boediono (vice president in the outgoing government) and Sri Mulyani Indrawati (currently chief operating officer and managing director at the World Bank) who guided Indonesia through the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s and the global financial crisis of 2008-2010, respectively. Departing finance minister Chatri Basri’s endorsement of Bambang as “good and capable” and the reaction of Standard Chartered Bank’s chief economist Fauzi Ichsan that the economic team is “not that impressive, but at least some ministers are what the market was hoping for” are illustrations of the private sector’s cautious response.
As trade minister, Rahmat Gobel, who was previously the head of Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia, brings business expertise, a track record of improving industrial productivity, and a commitment to promoting exports. But he is close to Indonesian business tycoon Aburizal Bakrie, head of Golkar — the second-largest political party and part of the opposition coalition — raising concerns that he might bring nationalist and protectionist sentiments into trade policy negotiations.
Retno Marsudi is Indonesia’s first female foreign minister. She is a career diplomat and was previously ambassador to the Netherlands. She is not as well known internationally as her predecessor, Marty Natalegawa, who came to the post of foreign minister with substantial international experience, including as Indonesia’s permanent representative at the United Nations. Retno has pledged to follow a down-to-earth pro-people diplomacy, but the meaning of this would only be shown by the actual practice.
Other key cabinet positions are dominated by politically connected figures, including several that are close to former President Megawati Sukarnoputri. For example, former Army chief of staff Ryamizard Ryacudu, who has faced criticism over human rights concerns stemming from his military career, was appointed defense minister.
Many predict that the future of Indonesia is bright. The peaceful and constitutional transfer of power signifies how far this country has progressed in its democratic transition and provides a stark contrast with other countries in the region. Indonesia can now be considered one of the most successful and vibrant democracies in the world, and it is on the verge of taking on a much more influential and strategic role beyond its borders.