What Will Indonesia’s Foreign Diplomacy Look Like in the Era of President Prabowo Subianto?

As the son of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, it is anticipated that many of Prof. Sumitro’s diplomatic strategies will be inherited and implemented by his son, President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

This approach involves leveraging the power of narrative and kinship to build Indonesia’s soft power.

Known as a prominent Indonesian economist, not many are aware that Prof. Sumitro was also a remarkable diplomat.

One significant instance of Prof. Sumitro’s diplomatic efforts is captured in a New York Times article.

Sumitro’s plea at the age of 31 to the U.S. Government, published in the New York Times on December 21, 1948, successfully halted the flow of American aid funds to the Netherlands, which were being used for Dutch military operations following Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945.

Prof. Sumitro wrote:

“The present Dutch military campaign has most unfortunately brought into horrible realization apprehensions that were carried for some time in the minds of all well-meaning people. In the modern history of nations only Signor Mussolini’s stab in the back in 1940 and Japan’s sudden attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 could stand the comparison of this reprehensible Dutch act without warning.”

“There is no other alternative for the Republic of Indonesia than to lead its own life and carry on to the best of its abilities as a separate independent and sovereign state.”

“We respectfully but urgently request the United States Government to discontinue rendering American dollars to the Netherlands under the European Recovery Program or otherwise.”

At that time, Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo Subianto’s father, served as the Acting Head of the Indonesian Delegation to the United Nations.

Following World War II, the Netherlands was essentially bankrupt and dependent on American reconstruction aid under the Marshall Plan, which was being misused to fund its military operations in Indonesia.

Sumitro, then only 31 years old, was tasked by President Sukarno to halt the American funds used by the Netherlands for its colonial ambitions in Indonesia.

Sumitro lobbied U.S. officials in Washington and the United Nations in New York.

Due to Sumitro’s efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Robert A. Lovett eventually stopped the aid to the Netherlands, as Sumitro’s claims were substantiated: the funds were being used for military operations in Indonesia.

The cessation of aid forced the Netherlands to negotiate with Indonesia at the Round Table Conference, ultimately recognizing Indonesia’s independence.

Sumitro’s young age and his brilliance in narrative and negotiation, as well as his international networking skills, led President Sukarno to assign him such a crucial task.

The success of Sumitro’s narrative and kinship diplomacy played a pivotal role in securing Indonesia’s post-proclamation independence.

President Sukarno appointed Sumitro as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States at the age of 33.

@Dirgayuza’s Notes