P

resident Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo has repeatedly proven his detractors wrong in his rise to power. With an unimposing style, too many had written him off as a simpleton. Many are living to rue their mistake.

Not least of whom are those who doubt his foreign policy engagements.

It is true that the President does not have past credentials to be dubbed a foreign policy president. But his vision is clear, and he has elaborated the gist both in print and rhetoric.

Not one to protract needlessly, President Jokowi set out a succinct indication during Monday'€™s inauguration.

The first response was to doubts that under his presidency Indonesia would become more introverted.

By saying that Indonesia will '€œstand among other nations with pride, with dignity and with respect'€, the President is clearly sending a signal of intent.

He further contextualized his comments with an understanding of the country'€™s geopolitical place as '€œthe third-largest democracy in the world, as the country with the largest Muslim population, as an archipelagic state and as the largest country in Southeast Asia'€.

Then the President stated that not only would Indonesia actively play a role but it would also serve as a country that '€œcreatively'€ contributed '€œin making noble contributions to global civilization'€.

All of which were couched within the underpinning tenet of an independent and active foreign policy.

Perhaps mindful of xenophobic critics during his election campaign, the President also made it clear that he wanted to lead a nation '€œthat can dictate the progress of its own civilization'€.

These elements in themselves are nothing new. They are fundamental tenets that have guided Indonesia for nearly seven decades.

His prepared remarks on foreign policy in his inaugural speech spoke volumes of the consciousness of his impending role as a regional leader in the international forum.

In short, the President is saying that Indonesia will continue to be a contributing force in international affairs and make its own mark as an objective and independent actor that respects independence, peace and social justice.

There is also a clear re-focus on the priorities that lay ahead. Indonesia will continue engagement in multiple fora and issues of concern, but with a rearrangement of priorities emerging that will impact drastically on Indonesia'€™s strategic and diplomatic outlook.

The intent to become a maritime power has been repeatedly stressed by the President, both publicly and privately.

'€œFor far too long, we have turned our backs on the seas, the oceans, the straits and the bays,'€ Jokowi said.

There is one fact that has often been neglected: Indonesia is the world'€™s largest archipelago, with territorial waters of 3.2 million square kilometers and a coastline of more than 95,000 kilometers.

'€œThe oceans, the seas, the straits and the bays are the future of our civilization,'€ the President noted.

The question now on everybody'€™s mind is who Jokowi will select as his chief diplomat when the Cabinet is announced.

Over the past two weeks, a slew of names have circled the rumor mill. From a noted lawyer and a politician to a career diplomat.

Unlike other Cabinet postings, a foreign minister holds a unique position and the decision has largely been the initiative of the president with limited intervention in the name of party politics. As the President'€™s personal emissary, a foreign minister is not someone a president would leave to chance.

Since the reform era, only one of four foreign ministers has not come from within the ministry '€” Alwi Shihab being the only non-career diplomat, and he served just two years in the post.

Hence it was always likely, and even more likely now, that a career diplomat would be the lead
candidate.

Given the focus on maritime issues set by the President, three likely priorities will also serve as criteria in the selection of the next foreign minister.

These include the settlement of border negotiations and maritime boundaries, which is also part of Jokowi'€™s agenda; helping to mediate tensions and create a regional order in the rising disputes over the South China Sea; and establishing Indonesia'€™s role by engaging in a '€œmaritime axis'€ that links the Indian and Pacific oceans.

No doubt it will also be someone who has a stellar reputation among his contemporaries and has ambassadorial experience.

The Foreign Ministry is certainly not lacking capable replacements for Marty Natalegawa.

Under the stewardship of then foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda, a crop of fine young diplomats in their early 40s quickly came to the fore. It is they who will likely accept the baton of leadership.

If one had to identify a career diplomat, as opposed to an outsider, as a candidate then it would certainly be from the class of 12 or 13 of the ministry'€™s training school.

Jokowi has often proven his political detractors wrong. In this specific case, there is confidence that he will prove us right.