A

fter being deliberated in the House of Representatives’ Commission I following its submission by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, lawmakers are now ready to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Barring unforeseeable administrative or technical hurdles, it is expected that the endorsement will be reached in a House plenary session today (Tuesday), keeping in mind that a first-level decision was already made in the Commission I on Nov. 30.

The biggest problem that had slowed the ratification process was a suspicion that a number of countries possessing nuclear weapons— those that are on the priority list and should have set an example to other nations — remained reluctant to ratify this treaty. This unwillingness has been interpreted as their desire to continue developing and modernizing their nuclear arsenals.

A number of diplomats from Europe, America and Australia have arrived in turn to meet the Indonesian House of Representatives in an attempt to convince Indonesia that, as an important Asian nation which is against nuclear weapons and has consistently fought for nuclear disarmament around the world, it has many friends.

By ratifying the CTBT, a treaty in which Indonesia has played a major role since its initial formation, Indonesia will have more allies and will be able to use the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), as the governing organization, to push for further efforts toward nuclear disarmament, including by putting pressure on those countries which are still reluctant to become parties to the agreement.

Of 182 countries which have already signed this agreement, 44 countries have nuclear reactors, which are listed in Annex 2 of the CTBT, including Indonesia. However, only 35 countries have ratified the treaty.

Indonesia’s position is perceived as very important in this context. First of all, Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population. With the inclusion of Indonesia in the parties to the treaty, it will be easier to invite other Muslim-majority population countries to join.

Second, Indonesia has developed nuclear reactors for a long time and mastered this technology, which means that it can produce nuclear bombs if it wishes to.

Third, Indonesia is located in Asia, a region where the economy is fast growing and which many experts have predicted will soon become a source of hope for the world’s future. Fourth, Indonesia, as the largest ASEAN country, as well as the most influential in political and security issues, is committed to developing the region as a single community, namely the ASEAN Community, in 2015.

A new challenge facing countries that are against nuclear weapons, in particular those members of the CTBTO, is the development of the latest technology related to the testing of nuclear weapons. There are now simulations which do not result in tremors or other indications which can be monitored using conventional monitoring equipment.

This reality creates demands that we continue to develop new methods which can detect the testing of nuclear weapons in any form.

By ratifying the CTBT, while keeping Indonesia in the front line of efforts against nuclear weapons, Indonesia will be able to take advantage of equipment placed in Indonesia.

In addition to monitoring natural indicators as evidence of test detonations of nuclear bombs, such equipment could also be used to monitor various natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding and others.

For Indonesia, ratifying the CTBT is part of the effort to create a world which is free of nuclear weapons. Together with the ASEAN member nations, we have been able to create a nuclear weapons-free Southeast Asian region.

Therefore, our next task is to encourage other regions to follow suit. In this way, one day all regions in the world will be free of nuclear weapons. Indonesia’s role in the CTBTO can contribute to the global fight for humanity, in particular regarding the campaign for nuclear disarmament, which cannot be entrusted to the leaders of nuclear-weapons countries.

The writer is member of the House of Representatives’ Commission I overseeing international affairs and defense.