Indonesia’s Hesitancy on the Global Stage

Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo pursues trade, but otherwise keeps a low profile in foreign affairs. The country is in line for a seat on the UN Security Council. Widodo has spoken out in favor of better representation for developing nations, but the country has largely focused on domestic issues since the regional financial crisis in 1998 and global debt crisis in 2008. Widodo calls for investment in infrastructure and trade, but ministers propose other extreme or nationalistic measures, signaling a fragmented approach, prompting unnecessary tensions with other neighboring countries and tarnishing Indonesia’s global reputation, writes Nithin Coca for the Diplomat. “Indonesia has for years been among the leaders in voting abstentions in the General Assembly, even for universally popular resolutions.” Sitting at the tables of power for global bodies is just the beginning, Coca concludes, and true reform requires active participation by developing nations. – YaleGlobal