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Presidential candidates need to recognize impending geopolitical challenges
This is not a situation where a "wait and see" approach, which is believed to be Indonesia's main tactic amid increasing geopolitical tensions, is a reliable strategy.
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A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, Oct. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal (Reuters/STAFF)
All three tickets have been registered with the General Elections Commission (KPU) for the presidential race on Feb. 14, 2024. Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar alongside Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD, representing two contradicting waves of hope for a new regime, signed up on Oct. 19, followed by Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka six days later.
All candidates have submitted their required work programs, which outline their ambitious plans for the country, covering economic to social issues. Among these programs, there is a shared focus on diplomacy and strengthening the Indonesian Military (TNI), as a response to growing global geopolitical tensions. However, it is crucial to evaluate whether these programs truly address Indonesia's needs.
Anies and Muhaimin through their respective workplans underscore the need for strengthening national defense and security systems, as well as enhancing Indonesia’s role and leadership in the global political arena to achieve national interests and world peace. In security and national defense, the pair is planning to continue the modernization of the TNI and support the innovation, production as well as military technology for strengthening the national defense industry. Additionally, they prioritize establishing a secure cyber ecosystem to address non-traditional threats.
On Indonesia’s role in world politics, Anies-Muhaimin will utilize Indonesia’s diplomatic prowess through a series of strategies. Among others, strengthening Indonesian economic cooperation with regional as well as international organizations, implementing the “free and active” foreign policy and supporting the statehood of Palestine. Their strategies largely align with previous administrations but bring new nuance to the approach.
Meanwhile, Ganjar-Mahfud and Prabowo-Gibran share similar plans in these areas. In their own words, they also express a need for robust military support and promote Indonesian diplomacy to serve the national interests.
For example, Ganjar-Mahfud’s plan to transform defense based on the doctrine of the Universal People's Defense System (Sishanrata) to build a formidable Indonesian defense force equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Meanwhile, Prabowo-Gibran stressed strengthening the concept and practice of the Indonesian archipelago's perspective for all Indonesian people and reinforcing the Reserve Components.
It is important to note that those programs are just a part of the candidates' overall initiatives, and the full details of their programs are readily available online.
