Interesting to note that after the euphoria of the presidential election, many pundits have offered their views on Indonesia’s foreign policy, including on who should be the next foreign minister. Advice has been given on the need to shake the Foreign Ministry out of its “comfort zone”.

Let me put my five cents into the discussion.

First, I certainly agree on the need to be creative and explore new strategies to further our diplomatic interests. But traditions are not necessarily a bad thing. Our diplomacy is based on a free and active foreign policy, which is not simply jargon, it is what we have practiced for decades.

Our tradition of being non-aligned while championing humanity earned the country praise and respect when I served on the United Nations Security Council. We have not shied away from criticizing countries, developed as well as developing, when they have abused human rights or gone against the UN charter. Our tagline is saving human lives. We don’t play global politics if life is at stake.  

Second, ASEAN is an important regional organization and should not be looked at only for its flaws. No multilateral organization is without its deficiencies, including the UN and the Bretton Wood Institutions. ASEAN has contributed to regional stability, economic growth and prosperity in the region, including in Indonesia. The issue is how we make ASEAN better, including improving its mechanisms, decision-making and responsiveness.

Third, in the midst of a geo-rivalry tempest, Indonesia is well situated to play a larger role, not simply as a leader of the Global South, but as a global player. As a country respected for its diplomatic track record, we have the comparative advantage of being a trustworthy and credible partner, thus able to be accepted in every instance.

Proof of this is our landslide candidacy in many UN organizations, our respected peacekeepers and our mediating role in many conflict areas, to name a few examples. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is the only head of state who could visit Kyiv and Moscow back-to-back, which is no small feat.