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Security debate likely to be more subdued
WIth both presidential candidates hitting the campaign trail this week, Saturday's debate on foreign policy and security looks to be less confrontational.
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Rematch: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo greets his rival, Prabowo Subianto, during a recent presidential debate. (The Jakarta Post/Donny Fernando)
T
he upcoming presidential debate on security and foreign policy is unlikely to create substantial friction among the candidates, experts say, as both incumbent leader Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his repeat-contender Prabowo Subianto are expected to focus on the campaign trail this week.
Scheduled for Saturday night at Shangri-La Hotel in Central Jakarta, the presidential debate is to cover the themes of ideology, governance, security and foreign affairs – hot-topic issues for foreign observers keen on reading the direction Indonesia might take after the April elections.
In the realm of foreign policy, however, experts argue that there won’t be too much deviation from the age-old script of bebas-aktif (independent and active) policymaking that Indonesia has been committed to for decades.
Teuku Rezasyah from Padjadjaran University predicted that Jokowi would likely focus on his administration’s past achievements, underpinned by last year’s successful bid to join the United Nations Security Council.
Both candidates might also reiterate Indonesia’s undying support for Palestinian statehood, as well as newer commitments such as for resolving the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, Reza said.
However, he said he did expect more from both candidates.
“We are hoping [the candidates] would be able to present concrete measures that Indonesia would take during its membership on the UNSC,” Teuku told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
