Jakarta — Indonesia’s president-elect for the 2024-2029 term, Prabowo Subianto, is anticipated to significantly elevate Indonesia’s global influence once he takes office. Singapore’s prominent media outlet, The Straits Times, published a detailed article on Saturday (21/9) titled “Prabowo has big plans for Indonesia on the global stage”, where experts and citizens alike foresee a proactive foreign policy agenda under Prabowo’s leadership.

In its coverage, The Straits Times emphasized that Prabowo has already started positioning himself as Indonesia’s de facto foreign minister even before taking office, conducting diplomatic visits to more than 10 countries within a seven-month period following his electoral win. These countries include major global powers like China, Japan, Russia, and Australia.

“Indonesia unknowingly also chose a new de facto foreign minister. In the seven months since securing around 59% of the roughly 200 million votes, Mr. Prabowo has visited more than 10 countries, including Singapore, China, Japan, Russia, and Australia,” The Straits Times wrote.

The publication also highlighted feedback from Indonesian citizens who expressed optimism about Prabowo’s presidency, noting that he appears to have the right focus in advancing Indonesia’s role in global diplomacy.

With his proactive international approach, many expect Prabowo to enhance communication between Indonesia and other nations, potentially acting as a mediator in conflict resolution if necessary. The Straits Times further elaborated that both experts and everyday Indonesians predict that Prabowo, once inaugurated on October 20, will focus on a robust foreign policy aimed at elevating Indonesia’s global standing.

Prabowo’s recent diplomatic engagements, both as the current Minister of Defense and Indonesia’s future president, reflect this strong commitment to international affairs. For example, his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, where he has criticized Western nations, was highlighted during a high-level humanitarian conference in Gaza in June 2024, underscoring his dedication to addressing global conflicts.

Moreover, Prabowo made headlines by offering humanitarian support to Palestine, pledging to evacuate 1,000 patients from Gaza to Indonesia and offering educational opportunities to Palestinian children in Islamic schools in East Java.

Julia Lau, a senior fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, mentioned in the article that Prabowo is expected to play a more assertive role in shaping Indonesia’s foreign policy. However, she noted that for Prabowo to succeed, he would still require a competent Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement his ambitious vision.

Despite the optimism, The Straits Times article concluded by noting that the Indonesian public remains watchful, hoping that Prabowo will fulfill his campaign promises and demonstrate concrete action to prove critics wrong.

As Prabowo prepares to take office, all eyes are on how he will position Indonesia on the global stage, particularly in navigating key geopolitical challenges and promoting the nation’s interests in an increasingly interconnected world. (RR)

Source : straitstimes.com