SINERGI : Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs

Contemporary Indonesia and ASEAN in the Post COVID-19

Zarina Othman — 2024-07-24

In Volume 4, Issue 1, July 2024, SINERGI takes readers to explore some of the most important security-related issues in the Southeast Asian region. In particular, the discussion focused on Indonesia, one of the countries with the fastest-growing economy in the region. Indonesia has a dense population and ranks fourth in the world. Its new capital, Nusantara, is expected to attract more foreign investors for its development. Nevertheless, Indonesia has not been hit by domestic and international issues, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, such as the threat of energy consumption and conservation, terrorism, and unrest in Myanmar. The pandemic shows the fragility of the country and the region. Moreover, it demonstrates the importance of understanding health issues and their relation to security. Nevertheless, as presented by the author in this volume, Indonesia maintains good relations with economic powers in Asia including the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

Book Review: The Power of Geography: Ten Maps that Reveal the Future of Our World by Tim Marshall, Elliott & Thompson Ltd, 2021, 304 pages, ISBN: 978-1-9821-7862-8

Amna Khalid — 2024-07-24

Indonesian Initiatives on Building Regional Health Regime in Southeast Asia after COVID-19

Ludiro Madu — 2024-07-24

This article discusses Indonesia's endeavours in developing a Southeast Asian health regime, with an emphasis on its role as the head of foreign policy and global health in 2020, despite the obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As ASEAN member nations cope with budget limits, differences in healthcare services, and the need to balance national and regional interests, the epidemic has highlighted the significance of a robust and coordinated regional health regime. Indonesia has been a key player in promoting health diplomacy and encouraging regional cooperation, calling for a coordinated and cohesive response to the epidemic and future health catastrophes. The article also examines ASEAN member nations' attempts to improve regional health monitoring, share efficient procedures, and promote fair access to healthcare. It wraps up by pointing out the significance of strong political commitment, partnership, and sustainable approaches in establishing a more solid and cohesive regional health regime.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indonesia's Energy Transition

Iva Rachmawati - — 2024-07-24

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a positive impetus for the energy transition for several countries. Along the deline of pollution, the consumption and investment in renewable energy indicate the awareness to encourage renewable increasing. This article examines the situation of Indonesia's energy transition, which has committed to achieving a mixed level of 23% by 2025. Through a literature review regarding renewable energy policies during the pandemic and indepth interviews method, this article claims that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 19 on Indonesia's energy transition is not significant. On the contrary, Indonesia experienced a slowdown in the energy transition during the pandemic. The deceleration of transition happened because previous policies regarding the energy sector did not support renewable energy policy in Indonesia. Investment and subsidies still favor the coal sector. The lack of technology and support for the renewable energy industry is increasingly difficult during the pandemic.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Counter-Terrorism in Indonesia

Machya Astuti Dewi — 2024-07-24

There is an assumption that the COVID-19 pandemic will reduce the number of acts of terrorism. However, that opinion has yet to be proven in Indonesia. Acts of terrorism continue to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic limiting human activities. Various acts of terror, both physical and non-physical, through social media occur. Even the campaign of terrorism through cyberspace is increasingly massive and difficult to contain. This phenomenon is interesting to study, significantly how Indonesia’s COVID-19 pandemic impacts counter-terrorism measures. To answer this question, data through internet searches on counter-terrorism programs from the National Agency for Counter-terrorism in Indonesia and related institutions are explored. Researchers also interviewed officials from the National Counter-terrorism Agency and former terrorism offenders. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected Indonesia’s counter-terrorism strategy. First, the campaign of terrorist groups that are rife in the mass media is addressed by counter-narrative through social media. Second, there has been a shift in counter-terrorism efforts from a hard approach to a soft approach. Third, there is increasing Pentahelix synergy in countering terrorism in Indonesia.

Challenges Facing the ASEAN Political and Security Community due to the 2021 Myanmar Military Coup: The Role of ASEAN Centrality

Anik Yuniarti — 2024-07-24

The coup in Myanmar in February 2021 marked a significant escalation in the country’s domestic issues. It presented a considerable challenge for the ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC), which aims to foster political and security cooperation to achieve stability and peace among ASEAN member states. Members of the ASEAN Community are committed to upholding democratic principles and human rights. Additionally, ASEAN countries have agreed to prioritise ASEAN centrality in decision-making processes to address regional challenges. This study discusses how the 2021 military coup in Myanmar has challenged the ASEAN Political and Security Community. The inability to resolve this coup highlights the limitations of ASEAN centrality. The coup exposes ASEAN’s lack of a coercive mechanism to address violations of democracy and human rights by the Myanmar military regime. Furthermore, the absence of unity among ASEAN members in responding to the situation in Myanmar and actions that deviate from ASEAN agreements have undermined the organisation’s credibility and cohesion, raising increasing concerns.

Strengthening Confidence, Security Building Measures (CSBMs) in Southeast Asia: ASEAN in the Post COVID-19 Era

Ariesani Hermawanto, Ph.D — 2024-07-24

This paper discusses Confidence Security Building Measures (CSBMs) in Southeast Asia as an important tool and mechanism to create stability and build mutual understanding between ASEAN member states and countries outside the region. Using relevant primary and secondary data such as official government documents, books and journals, the study shows that CSBM mechanisms in the Southeast Asia region encourage surrounding countries to strengthen shared responsibilities and goals sustainably. The dialogue through CSBM’s mechanism emphasises cooperation and mutual understanding, which will further play an essential role in building a resilient and harmonious Southeast Asia. The study results show that the complexity of issues in the post-COVID-19 era requires strengthening CSBM through ASEAN with a focus on inclusivity and consensus building, constituting a mechanism of meaningful dialogue.

Big Brother’s Help: The Dynamics of the Indonesian Narrative of China’s Role in Indonesian Development

Akbar Hikmatul — 2024-07-24

A narrative is a story someone tells to influence the person they are talking to, the discussion community, or society. The information narrative carries may or may not be valid. Narratives about China developed abundantly in Indonesia during the Jokowi administration. The rise and fall in narrative frequency are greatly influenced by political activities in Indonesia, public perception, and China’s relations with Indonesia. While many narratives come from false information or hoaxes, many positive narratives about China come from valid data. Positive narratives about China’s economic assistance, China’s position as a leading country, and the influence of Chinese culture can overcome the dominance of negative narratives on social media about China and the Jokowi government, many of which originate from hoaxes. Public perception and approval of Jokowi’s government confirm that the narrative about China’s assistance to Indonesia is well-assented.

Decentralised International Cooperation: Insights from the Yogyakarta (Indonesia) - Gyeongsangbukdo (South Korea) Partnership

Sri Issundari — 2024-07-24

Developing decentralised international cooperation is not easy. Managing active and beneficial decentralised international cooperation amidst many inactive regional-international partnerships will be much more difficult. Geographical factors of distant regions, language differences, and lack of planning and coordination are often the leading causes of constrained and inactive regional international cooperation. This paper will map the factors that influence the success of the Yogyakarta (Indonesia)–Gyeongsangbukdo (South Korea) international collaboration so that it provides tangible and sustainable benefits. The paper is qualitative-analytical, which aims to explore the background of the success of regional-international cooperation amid the criticism of many inactive decentralised-international cooperation. Interviews with interviewees from BPPM (Women and Community Empowerment Agency) of Yogyakarta, the Directorate of Law and International Agreements at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and YGSI (Global Saemaul Indonesia Foundation) provide the primary data sources. Secondary data sources are derived from reports, articles, and documents regarding Yogyakarta – Gyeongsangbukdo international cooperation. Based on research findings, two variables determine the success of Yogyakarta - Gyeongsangbukdo international cooperation: first, the two local governments’ readiness to carry out all stages of international collaboration, and second, active public participation in executing and managing activities.

ASEAN’s Function in Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Saptopo Bambang Ilkodar — 2024-07-24

This article examines ASEAN’s function and the effectiveness of that function in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The author examines this problem because there is a gap that has no explanation, namely between the excellent performance of ASEAN member countries in handling the COVID-19 pandemic on the one hand and the lack of ASEAN functions in handling the pandemic. If ASEAN does not function much in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, why are its member countries performing better than countries in Europe and Latin America? The author uses a regionalism framework and finds four things that affect ASEAN’s function in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, namely: the level of member trust in regional organisations, the level of complexity of problems, the involvement of global organisations, and the amount of autonomy of regional organisations compared to member countries.