Indonesias Rising Power In Southeast Asia

Running head: INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 1

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

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INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 2

Indonesia’s Rising Power in Southeast Asia

Introduction

Transfixed on the Eastern maritime end of the East Indies region, lays a nation that was

once economically crippled and further endured social-political strife. In the past, Indonesia was

on the limelight for all the wrong reasons. However, recent statistics display the signs of a

recovering and enduring nation in social, political and economic aspects. Indeed, a country’s

level of development is mainly but not limited to its growth share in the economic markets.

Hence, one of the most notable signs of development among the South East nations is the recent

World Bank rankings that placed Indonesia position ten in terms of Gross Domestic Product

(GDP).Furthermore, Indonesia has for the recent past been inclined towards a path of outshining

its closest neighbours by projecting a rather candid socio-economic and political global profile.

Despite numerous improvements in the Indonesian commercial sphere, the country

suffers numerous challenges ranging from unemployment, buffering the advancement of Muslim

radicalization and pollution. However, new leadership is set to alter the state of Indonesia into a

major rising power through following a unanimous discourse on pioneering social change.

Neighbouring countries within South East Asia may be sensing the uproar of a once trifled

nation. It could be possible that Indonesia is greatly acquiring the status of an upcoming power.

Indonesian leadership obviously hints out to the country’s large endowment in natural resources

as the foundation for the upcoming nation (Hadiz, 2010). While this may bear true to the

expanding economy, many other factors are yet to receive rational cognizance on a

developmental basis. Hence, a comparison tool incorporating neighbouring nations would be

ideal to illuminate the extent to which Indonesia has experienced a multi-sectored growth in the

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 3

region (Emmers, 2005, 647). Thus, the essay will mainly focus on Indonesia’s demographics,

economic growth, and human development index, military and maritime spending in contrast to

other South East Asian countries. Further, the essay will devolve social livelihoods into a

comparison state with close attention to Muslim model democracy and foreign affairs.

Population & Demographics

Indonesia's population make up by 2010 was at a total of 232 million. The large

population creates a suitable consumer space for produced goods. The Philippines, on the other

hand, stagnate at 100 million, almost half of Indonesia's population. The literacy levels in

Indonesia extend to 93% with individuals more than 15 years of age with the capability to read

and write (De Mourra, 2016, 773). Despite the fact that education is not free, children are

subjected to a compulsory education system up to grade 9.As per 2012, the population growth

rate in Indonesia was at 1.6% (De Mourra,2016,774).It is worth noting that Indonesia's major

ethnic group is of Muslim ethnicity whereas, in neighbouring countries such as Philippines and

Cambodia, the population comprises a cocktail of various ethnic profiles thereby creating space

for ethnic clashes and severe social, economic and political degeneration.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Indonesia has undoubtedly claimed the largest share of the South East nations' economy.

In 2012, Indonesia ranked lowly regarding GDP growth rates as compared to its immediate

neighbor, the Philippines with rates of 6.23 and 6.6% respectively. However, over the years,

Indonesia developed strategies to project better growth increments and hence toppled over the

once aggressive Philippines and other neighbouring nations in essence to GDP growth as in the

year 2015. The recent economic growth status can be attributed to Indonesia's government input

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 4

through legislation and consequent inclusion of subsidiaries for entrepreneurial and commercial

enterprises. (Astuti, 2015, 70) Furthermore, the government has been instrumental in reducing

tax cuts thus enabling businesses to flourish and hence improving the nation’s economy.

Relatively, it is worth noting that Indonesia's actual implementation of similar economic

principles has resulted in the development of close ties with economic giants of the region such

as India and China. Neighbouring nations like the Philippines on the other hand, have failed to

make proper steps in the commercial scene as a result of reluctance in reviewing taxation

systems and further increased dependence on imports. Thus, the local economies are stifled upon

by foreign-based economies that ensure profits are torn by half and hence a depreciating

economic situation.

Human Development Index (HDI)

With regards to Human Development Index (HDI), Indonesia has been struggling to

adopt the aspect of equality and inclusion in its socio-economic and political aspects. Despite

reputable advancements in the economic realm, a recent study indicated that HDI had risen from

0.528 to 0.689 for a period spanning 25 years. (Fidler, 2016, 2440) Hence, the gradual

improvement places Indonesia's HDI at a strategic 113 position out of a total of 188 nations.

Comparatively, neighbouring nations like the Philippines had achieved a much lower HDI

compared to Indonesia as their values remained at 0.682.Thus, Philippines ranked position 116

out of 188 total countries (Fidler, 2016, 2438). However, the nation's administration is devising

means to grapple with the effects of an unequal and impartial inclusive system to enable

improvement in the majority of its aspects.

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 5

In a report produced by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the main

idea was that normally, nations focus on national averages that do not project real-time ideals

thus failing in major implementation strategies. However, based on statistical evidence, it is quite

clear that Indonesia is gradually rising to the tune of a rising power. With structures put in place

to ensure equality and inclusion, while at the same time stepping up other affiliated factors, it is

no doubt that Indonesia will continue rising regarding HDI and overall social, political and

economic growth.

Military and Maritime Framework

Indonesia's sovereignty as an upcoming power is greatly embossed in its current military

structure. The island nation of Indonesia implies that majority of its physical insecurities are

conducted on a maritime scale. Hence, maritime security and military issues are of primary

concern in Indonesia. Owing to Indonesia's physical proximity to the South East Asia region, it is

primal that the nation works hand in hand with other nations to maintain security at the coast and

especially at the maritime borders. Some of the most notorious crimes in the region require

cooperative indulgence in a bid to buffer the associated effects of maritime crime.

Recent decades have been spurred with controversy as Indonesia did not commit to

indulge in multilateral frameworks to safeguard individual countries' coasts. On the contrary,

neighbouring nations like the Philippines have been at the forefront in strategizing such

multilateral pacts with China and even the United States. However, the Indonesian

administration cut off links to save on hefty costs associated with cooperation with the

neighbouring nations (Till, 2015). Hence, the administrators argue that cooperation pacts limit an

individual nation's sovereignty especially if a nation's discourse pertaining territorial governance

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 6

is limited and further increase costs. Relatively, the nation recently implemented a $20 Billion

defense budget to ensure that all its territories were adequately catered for in relevance to

maritime and state security (Till, 2015). The budget was further developed to cater for weapons

and artillery purchases. The move prompted nearby nations like China to solicit pacts with

Indonesia to no avail. Thus, Indonesia’s sovereignty is greatly protected with no third party

influence, rendering the nation an upcoming force to reckon with, with relevance to state and

maritime security.

Countering Terrorism

Indonesia approached the global war on terrorism (QWOT) in two ways. One of the

approaches entailed physical engagements that crippled terrorist and the other one through the

legislative, judiciary and the executive arms of the state. The state used methods such as

arresting, prosecuting, detention and intelligence to curb the terrorism. GWOT was pronounced

by George Bush, the then United States President claiming that former Iraq President, Saddam

Hussein, had set up a nuclear plant for preparation of mass destruction in the world. Indonesia

was facing the problem of terrorism as the Muslims were among the countries in maritime

Southeast Asia. They had to join together in fighting terrorism since they could only address the

issue when it surfaces and crystalize instead of rupturing and configuring the roots through the

soft approach.

Terrorism was regarded as one of the Islamic radicalism and were the main threats to the

security in the region. The leadership and organization played a major role in spreading the

terrorist ideology. Muslims carried out operations of spreading the terrorism to destabilize the

Southeast countries and have control over the resources. Countries in Southeast Asia had to work

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 7

closely to counter localized operations of the Muslims who were leading the wars. Indonesia

played a major role among other countries in countering terrorism in the region. The Southeast

countries had to use soft power through diplomatic relations, common values, cultural exchanges

and ideological deliberations to combat transnational threats (Nye, 2004).

Foreign Affairs

Concerning foreign affairs, Indonesia has experienced tremendous growth over the years.

In the latter decade of the 20th century, for instance, the current administration was mostly bent

towards the development of an anti-Western or anti-American state during President Suharto's

reign. Furthermore, Indonesia previously experienced a bruised relationship with international

counterparts owing to recent violent annexations of East Timor regions (Abbott, 2017, 113).

However, the mistrust between the international counterparts began to relax especially after

Indonesia successfully managed to foster a binding relationship between Cambodia and Thailand

after they engaged into a conflict over the Preah Vihear temple (Abbott, 2017, 122). Other

comparable distinctions include Indonesia's admission into the G-20 economic pact as a result of

its economic prowess over the last decade. Indonesia has further claimed a portion of the Asia

Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) whose main aim is to promote balanced free trade

between industrialized and non-industrialized nations by 2020.

Muslim Model Democracy

Indonesia is mostly populated by Muslims and is hence a party to the Organization of

Islamic Cooperation (OIC).Indonesia highly regards the role that Islamic unity plays in foreign

policy decisions. Initially, Indonesia had developed a pact with Israel after holding talks to

maintain better relations between the two nations. However, it was not until 2006 that analysts

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 8

realized that the international relations between the two nations had deteriorated and thus

administrators sought Singapore as their link to Israel (Poczter, 2016, 87). Similarly,

neighbouring Malaysia utilizes the same framework to connect to Israel.

Relatively, Indonesia has managed to maintain its Muslim democracy model despite the

transition from total authoritarian rule to one of democracy. Further, the country has remained

firm despite often ethnic clashes (Poczter, 2016, 89). Most importantly, Indonesia’s Muslim

political parties have not experienced victory in the general elections and thus render the nation

non-partisan enough to allow socio-economic and political growth. However, adoption of

democratic systems of administrations remain the best indicators of an upcoming power in South

East Asia. Contrary to this democratic system of administration, neighbouring countries like the

Philippines are still struggling to do away with authoritative systems of administration.

Conclusion

Indonesia seemingly assumes a large token of potential in various social-economic and

political aspects within. Various advancements have sparkled mutual reverence from

neighbouring nations and the world over. Neighbouring nations such as Malaysia seem to have

been overtaken by Indonesia's increasing adaptability in the fields of commerce, maritime

militarism and driving social change. Hence, Indonesia was reportedly beat Malaysia in the

recent World Bank ratings pertaining increase in GDP. Furthermore, Indonesia's rise in

independent militarism is considered a major move for the country's social and political statuses.

Ideally, Indonesia is tremendously displaying signs of budding into a major upcoming power.

Basing on the leadership of their current President Joko Widodo’s whose vision is to make

Indonesia the pivot of global maritime. The president implemented the first National Ocean

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 9

Policy in February 2017 after it had been approved by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. The

policy implementation launched a new national map of Indonesia maritime boundaries and also

affected parts of South China Sea. This initiative by the president and the Maritime Ministry

depicts that Indonesia is rising in power in Southeast Asia.

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 10

References

Abbott, A., 2017. Equality in the Indonesia–US Relations. In Educational Sovereignty and

Transnational Exchanges in Post-Secondary Indonesian Education (pp. 107-133).

Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Astuti, R., Silalahi, R.L.R. and Wijaya, G.D.P., 2015. Marketing Strategy Based on Marketing

Mix Influence on Purchasing Decisions of Malang Apples Consumers at Giant Olympic

Garden Mall (MOG), Malang City, East Java Province, Indonesia. Agriculture and

Agricultural Science Procedia, 3, pp.67-71.

De Moura, F.F., Moursi, M., Donahue Angel, M., Angeles-Agdeppa, I., Atmarita, A., Gironella,

G.M., Muslimatun, S. and Carriquiry, A., 2016. Biofortified β-carotene rice improves

vitamin A intake and reduces the prevalence of inadequacy among women and young

children in a simulated analysis in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The

American journal of clinical nutrition, 104(3), pp.769-775.

Economics, T., 2014. Indonesia GDP. Retrieved October, 5, p.2014.

Emmers, R., 2005. Regional Hegemonies and the Exercise of Power in Southeast Asia: A Study

of Indonesia and Vietnam. Asian Survey, 45(4), pp.645-665.

Fidler, M.M., Soerjomataram, I. and Bray, F., 2016. A global view on cancer incidence and

national levels of the human development index. International journal of cancer, 139(11),

pp.2436-2446.

Gindarsah, I. and Priamarizki, A., 2015. Indonesia’s Maritime Doctrine and Security Concerns.

RSIS Policy Report, 9.

INDONESIA’S RISING POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 11

Hadiz, V., 2010. Localising power in post-authoritarian Indonesia: A Southeast Asia perspective.

Stanford University Press.

Nye JS (2004) The decline of America’s soft power. Foreign Affairs May–June.

Poczter, S. and Pepinsky, T.B., 2016. Authoritarian Legacies in Post–New Order Indonesia:

Evidence from a New Dataset. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, 52(1), pp.77-

100.

Till, G., 2015. Indonesia as a growing maritime power: possible implications for Australia. Sea

Power Centre.

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