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Indonesia's silence at Shangri-La Dialogue raises questions
Despite a wave of recent defense agreements and President Prabowo Subianto’s history of being outspoken at the annual forum, Jakarta opted for a quieter approach this year, prompting speculation over whether Indonesia is attempting to avoid offending major power, or if it simply lacks a coherent security posture.
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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers the keynote address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit May 30, 2025, in Singapore. (Reuters/Edgar Su)
I
ndonesia’s uncharacteristically muted presence at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore has raised eyebrows among observers and analysts alike, fueling concerns that Jakarta may lack a clear strategic direction on defense policy amid an ever-intensifying geopolitical landscape.
Despite a wave of recent defense agreements and President Prabowo Subianto’s history of being outspoken at the annual forum, Jakarta opted for a quieter approach this year, prompting speculation over whether Indonesia is attempting to avoid offending major powers, or if it simply lacks a coherent security posture.
Last week’s forum brought together defense leaders and policymakers from over 40 countries. Discussions centered on critical global issues, including Taiwan’s status, territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the rising threat of nuclear proliferation.
The summit took place amid rising global uncertainty, driven by defining shifts in the United States’ foreign policy and China’s continued ascent toward superpower status–leaving Indo-Pacific nations, and others beyond, navigating an increasingly volatile world order.
The Indonesian delegation was represented by Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto, whose attendance was touted to assert the country’s “strategic position as a credible partner in advancing an inclusive and adaptive security order in the Indo-Pacific”, according to a release by the Defense Ministry last week.
Read also: Prabowo says ready to recognise Israel if Palestinians get state
During the two-day event, Donny attended the US-Southeast Asia Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, where talks on strengthening ASEAN’s capacity for defense cooperation were held. He also attended French President Emmanuel Macron’s keynote speech, who advocated for a “third way” of strategic autonomy that is resistant to the US-China rivalry.
