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Retno still to learn the ropes, no clear vision yet
Retno LP Marsudi
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Retno LP Marsudi. JP
Although Retno LP Marsudi's appointment as the new foreign minister has won praise, questions linger over her ability to support President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's maritime-axis doctrine, particularly given her lack of experience as a negotiator.
Retno, Indonesia's first-ever female foreign minister, undoubtedly has a string of dazzling achievements from her diplomatic career.
The former Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands was considered a success during her service as the Foreign Ministry's director general for America and Europe, and as Indonesian ambassador to both Norway and Iceland.
But her track record does not seem to have much to do with the maritime sector, particularly areas such as border negotiations and conflict resolution, that observers believe will be crucial to supporting Jokowi's foreign-policy vision, which hinges on maritime diplomacy.
In her first media statement after the inauguration of all Cabinet members at the Presidential Palace on Monday, Retno gave the impression that Indonesia's future foreign diplomacy approach would adopt similar techniques to those used by her predecessor Marty Natalegawa.
Retno's responses were similar to those of Marty, saying that Indonesia would promote 'dialogue', when asked about her strategy for addressing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
'I think it will be wise for us to talk with our neighboring countries. Particularly with China. Ideas need to be sharpened with other related ministries [in relation to the South China Sea dispute],' Retno said.
Retno is expected to help Jokowi introduce Indonesia's interests as a world maritime axis during a series of multilateral forums in November, such as the APEC Summit in Beijing as well as the ASEAN Summit and the Ninth East Asia Summit (EAS) in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
'Indonesia's diplomacy should be able to deliver policies and open up opportunities as well as bridge differences,' said Retno.
'The President has his vision and mission, called the Trisakti principles, which envision an Indonesia that is sovereign in its politics, independent in regard to its economy and distinct in its cultural character. Now we are identifying how the foreign-affairs sector can contribute to the Trisakti vision,' Retno said.
Jokowi's foreign-policy vision of maritime diplomacy has an emphasis on economic interests and a focus on Indonesia's immediate concentric circle of interests.
It was also quickly apparent that Retno's tough tasks in the near future would include negotiations over maritime boundaries as well as dealing with Australia's asylum-seeker policies, which often affect Indonesia's sovereignty.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, for example, told Jokowi during the pair's bilateral meeting after the latter's inauguration on Oct. 20, that Kuala Lumpur wanted to hold negotiations with Jakarta soon over the two countries' maritime-boundary issues.
'I mentioned [during my meeting with Jokowi] that one problem hampering relations between Indonesia and Malaysia is the border issue, especially the maritime boundaries involving many areas, particularly in Ambalat,' Najib said as quoted by Malaysian news agency Bernama.
'I have given my suggestion, which is for Malaysia and Indonesia to each appoint a chief negotiator,' he added.
It is not yet known if Jokowi will agree to Najib's suggestion.
Jokowi's predecessor, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, failed to resolve such border issues despite numerous rounds of negotiations.
University of Indonesia international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana suggested that Retno push the finalization of a code of conduct on the engagement in disputed areas of sea, particularly with Malaysia and Australia.
Hikmahanto also warned that Retno should leave behind the 'non-decisive' diplomatic style used by Marty under Yudhoyono's administration in order to resolve the issues.
Yudhoyono's 'free and active' policy was often used to justify the promotion of international interests over national ones, for adhering to the values of solidarity and maintaining bilateral ties, according to Hikmahanto.
'Jokowi's foreign policy, based on the maritime-axis doctrine and economic diplomacy, can only be implemented if the foreign minister is tough in conveying arguments from the perspective of Indonesia and developing countries,' Hikmahanto said.
Retno was also advised to focus during her first weeks in office on conducting bilateral negotiations with countries that are home to Indonesian migrant workers.
'Bilateral diplomacy requires more focus than multilateral diplomacy, because bilateral relations have a better chance of producing real impacts for the Indonesian people. Regional and multilateral forums are also important but have less priority,' Hikmahanto said.
