The History of Indonesian Diplomacy 1945-2010 (2/2) WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLE

Summary

The script discusses Indonesia's political landscape post-Reformation, highlighting the democratic openness allowing 48 political parties to participate in elections, a significant increase from the New Order era. It emphasizes President Abdurrahman Wahid's foreign policy, aiming to rebrand Indonesia as a democratic, transparent, and friendly nation. The policy included opening trade relations with Israel, despite domestic Islamic protests. The script also touches on Megawati's presidency, Hasan Wirayuda's continuation of an independent and active foreign policy, and the importance of aligning with global democratic values. It concludes with the idea of Indonesia as a significant regional actor, not just an observer, in international relations.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The people of East Timor were given a choice to stay with Indonesia or become independent, resulting in the birth of Timor-Leste on May 20, 2002.
• 🏛️ During the early reform era, 48 political parties were allowed to participate in general elections, a significant increase from the New Order era.
• 📊 Abdurrahman Wahid was elected president in the 1999 elections, with Megawati taking the role of vice president.
• 🌐 Alwi Shihab, elected as the first foreign minister of the reform era, faced significant challenges both internally and in international relations.
• 🌍 President Abdurrahman Wahid aimed to change the perception of Indonesia as an authoritarian state to a democratic one, emphasizing free and active foreign policy.
• 🏢 The foreign policy of Indonesia shifted to include more engagement with Eastern countries like China and India, aiming for a balanced approach.
• 🤝 The opening of trade relations with Israel was a controversial move that sparked protests, especially among Islamic groups.
• 🔄 After Gus Dur's fall, Megawati became president, and Hasan Wirayuda replaced Alwi Shihab as foreign minister, continuing the free and active foreign policy.
• 🌟 The process of democratization in Indonesia was still young, and foreign policy decisions were becoming more decentralized.
• 🌐 Indonesia's foreign policy under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono improved the country's domestic conditions and international reputation, including joining the G20.
• 🌐 Diplomacy is seen as a noble profession focused on creating friendships between nations without needing to apologize for such aspirations.

Q & A

What was the outcome of the referendum held for the people of East Timor?

The referendum resulted in the establishment of a new nation, Timor Leste, on May 20, 2002.

How did the political landscape change during the early reform era in Indonesia?

During the early reform era, 48 political parties were allowed to participate in the general elections, which was 16 times more than during the New Order era.

Who were elected as president and vice president in the 1999 Indonesian election?

Abdurrahman Wahid was elected as president, and Megawati as vice president in the 1999 Indonesian election.

What was the significant challenge faced by the first foreign minister of the reform era, Alwi Shihab?

Alwi Shihab faced significant challenges both internally within the Pluit itself and in Indonesia's relations with countries that had known Indonesia as a nation led by an authoritarian figure, Gus Dur.

What was the policy of Indonesia under President Gus Dur to change its international image?

President Gus Dur's policy aimed to show that Indonesia was a new, democratic Indonesia that wanted to be friendly with anyone and remained principled, free, and active.

What does 'Ecological Diplomacy' mean as mentioned in the script?

Ecological Diplomacy refers to opening many windows to accommodate friendship and brotherhood with anyone without discrimination of country or ethnicity, considering all as friends.

What was the controversial foreign policy step taken by President Abdurrahman Wahid?

The controversial foreign policy step was the discussion of opening trade relations with Israel, which sparked protests, especially from Islamic groups.

How did Gus Dur view the relationship with China during his presidency?

Gus Dur felt that relations with China and other Asian countries should be fostered, but he never suggested that closer ties with China and India would diminish relations with the West.

What was the significant change made by Gus Dur regarding the placement of ambassadors in ASEAN countries?

Gus Dur abolished the placement of military members as ambassadors in ASEAN countries, showing a shift towards a more democratic and transparent foreign policy.

What was the main challenge for Indonesia's foreign policy during the era of democratization?

The main challenge was the very young process of democratization in Indonesia and the need to advance democracy, which included a shift in foreign policy decision-making to be more inclusive and less centralized.

What was the concept of 'free and active' foreign policy as continued under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono?

The 'free and active' foreign policy under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meant that Indonesia should be able to define its interests in every issue and try to create like-minded nations that share Indonesia's broad views, not just react to events but also be proactive in shaping them.

How did Indonesia's international reputation improve during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's term?

Indonesia's international reputation improved as it was recognized as a democratic nation and was included as a member of the G20, indicating its growing influence on the global stage.

Outlines

00:00

🗽 Independence and Political Reforms in Indonesia

The paragraph discusses the historical context of East Timor's referendum, which resulted in the formation of the new nation, Timor Leste, on May 20, 2002. It highlights the political openness during the early reform periods that allowed 48 political parties to participate in the general elections, a significant increase from the Orde Baru era. Abdurrahman Wahid was elected as president in 1999, and Megawati became vice president. Under Wahid's presidency, Alwi Shihab was appointed as the first foreign minister of the reformation era. The paragraph also covers the challenges faced by Indonesia in its internal affairs and international relations, especially with its image as an authoritarian state under Gus Dur. The new Indonesia aimed to be democratic, friendly, free, and active in international relations. The foreign policy included 'ecological diplomacy', opening up to friendships without discrimination, and a balanced approach between the West and the East, with a particular focus on improving relations with China and India. The most controversial aspect was the opening of trade relations with Israel, which sparked protests, especially from Islamic groups. Gus Dur's perspective was that such a move would gain sympathy and potential investment from Western countries, particularly the United States, which had strong Jewish influence at the time.

05:01

🌐 Continuity and Evolution of Indonesia's Foreign Policy

This paragraph continues the narrative of Indonesia's foreign policy, focusing on the transition from Gus Dur to Megawati as president and the subsequent change in the cabinet, including Hasan Wirayuda replacing Alwi Shihab as foreign minister. Hasan, a career diplomat, continued the free and active foreign policy but with a focus on the ongoing democratization process in Indonesia. The paragraph emphasizes the shift in policy-making from centralized decision-making during the Orde Baru era to a more decentralized approach that includes various centers of power. It also discusses the importance of unity among different societal groups for the national interest and the need for active engagement with parliament, groups, and the public. The paragraph highlights the challenges of navigating a dynamic international environment where issues are no longer black and white but dependent on the specific problem, requiring consultation and a fluid stance rather than fixed positions. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing that Indonesia's foreign policy should be active and not just reactive, with a focus on defining national interests in each issue and creating like-minded nations that share Indonesia's views.

10:02

🌟 Indonesia's Aspirations for Substantive Diplomacy

The final paragraph delves into the concept of 'free and active' foreign policy, explaining that it means more than just responding to external events or organizing events for show. The challenge is to make this policy substantive, not just in terms of event organization but in controlling the substance of these events. The paragraph discusses the domestic improvements and international reputation of Indonesia under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, including its entry into the G20, which signifies its growing influence. Indonesia is recognized as a democratic nation, which allows it to forge broader relationships on regional and international platforms. The paragraph concludes with the idea that diplomacy is a noble profession about creating friendships between nations without needing to apologize for such aspirations. It emphasizes the importance of presenting Indonesia as a friendly nation that seeks a million friends and no enemies, which is a noble and commendable goal to pursue continuously.

Keywords

💡Referendum

A referendum is a direct vote in which citizens are asked to decide on a specific proposal. In the context of the video, the referendum mentioned refers to the vote held in East Timor to determine whether the region would remain part of Indonesia or become an independent nation, leading to the establishment of Timor Leste.

💡Reformasi

Reformasi refers to the period of political and economic reform in Indonesia following the fall of President Suharto in 1998. The script highlights how this period allowed for the emergence of 48 political parties, a significant increase from the era of the New Order, leading to a more open political landscape.

💡Abdurrahman Wahid

Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, was the fourth president of Indonesia. His presidency is highlighted in the script as a time of significant political change, including the election as president in 1999 and his role in shaping Indonesia's foreign policy towards a more democratic and transparent direction.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy in the script refers to the art and practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining official relations between countries. It is used to describe Indonesia's efforts to establish friendly relations with various nations without discrimination, as part of its 'free and active' foreign policy.

💡Ecological Diplomacy

Ecological diplomacy, as mentioned in the script, is a term used to describe Indonesia's approach to opening many 'windows' for friendship and cooperation with any country, regardless of differences. It is part of the broader 'free and active' foreign policy strategy.

💡Pendulum Diplomacy

Pendulum diplomacy is a strategy outlined in the script that suggests balancing Indonesia's relations between Western and Eastern countries. It implies not favoring one side over the other but maintaining a dynamic and balanced approach to international relations.

💡Investment

The term 'investment' in the script is used in the context of Indonesia seeking large investments from Western countries. It is mentioned in relation to President Gus Dur's efforts to open trade missions to gain sympathy and investment from influential Western figures, particularly Jewish lobbyists in America.

💡Democratization

Democratization refers to the process of transitioning from an authoritarian regime to a more democratic form of government. The script discusses how democratization in Indonesia was a key pillar of the reforms and influenced the country's foreign policy-making process.

💡Global Context

The global context in the script refers to the international environment in which Indonesia operates. It highlights the fluidity and dynamism of international relations, where issues are no longer simply divided between East and West but are dependent on the specific issue at hand.

💡Substantive

The term 'substantive' in the script is used to emphasize the need for Indonesia's foreign policy to be meaningful and substantial, not just reactive or focused on organizing events. It suggests that Indonesia should actively define its interests and play a significant role in international issues.

💡G20

The G20 is a group of 20 major economies. The script mentions Indonesia's inclusion as a member of the G20 as an indicator of its improved domestic conditions and international reputation, showcasing its role as a democratic and influential player on the global stage.

Highlights

Timor-Leste gained independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002.

During the early reform era, 48 political parties were allowed to participate in general elections.

Abdurrahman Wahid was elected as president in the 1999 election.

Megawati was elected as vice president.

Alwi Shihab was appointed as the first foreign minister of the reform era.

Indonesia faced significant internal and international challenges during the reform era.

Gus Dur introduced policies to change Indonesia's image and promote it as a democratic and friendly nation.

The policy of 'open door' diplomacy was introduced to foster friendships without discrimination.

Gus Dur sought to balance Indonesia's relations with Western and Eastern countries.

Gus Dur aimed to improve relations with China and India without neglecting the West.

The most controversial foreign policy was the opening of trade relations with Israel.

The idea of opening trade relations with Israel sparked protests, especially from Islamic groups.

Gus Dur believed that opening a trade mission could gain sympathy from powerful figures in America.

After Gus Dur's fall, Megawati became president, and the cabinet changed.

Hasan Wirayuda replaced Alwi Shihab as foreign minister.

Hasan Wirayuda continued the policy of free and active foreign policy amidst Indonesia's democratization process.

The reform era emphasized the importance of advancing democracy and involving various societal groups in foreign policy decision-making.

Indonesia's foreign policy during the reform era aimed to be more consultative and less centralized.

Indonesia's foreign policy faced the challenge of a rapidly changing and fluid international landscape.

Indonesia's foreign policy was expected to be active and not just reactive to international events.

Under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia's domestic condition improved along with its international reputation.

Indonesia's entry into the G20 was an indication of its improved international standing.

Indonesia was known as a democratic nation, which allowed it to establish broader relationships on various forums.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono translated the principles of Indonesian foreign policy in the contemporary era.

Diplomacy was seen as a noble profession about creating friendships between nations.

Indonesia aimed to present itself as a friendly nation without enemies and with a million friends.

Transcripts

itu memberikan pilihan bagi rakyat Timor

Timur untuk tetap bersama negara

kesatuan Republik Indonesia atau

memisahkan diri

referendum yang kemudian digelar

berakhir dengan berdirinya negara baru

Timor Leste pada tanggal 20 Mei 2002

peran politik yang terbuka di masa-masa

awal reformasi memungkinkan 48 partai

politik untuk mengikuti pemilihan umum

jumlah partai politik ini 16 kali lebih

besar dibandingkan masa Orde Baru

dengan kompromi politik Abdurrahman

Wahid pun terpilih sebagai presiden

dalam Pemilu 1999 dan Megawati sebagai

wakil presiden

di bawah kepemimpinan presiden

Abdurrahman Wahid Alwi Shihab yang

terpilih menjadi menteri luar negeri

pertama di era reformasi dihadapkan pada

tantangan yang sangat besar

memang ada kesulitan

baik ke dalam internal the Pluit sendiri

maupun dalam hubungan kita dengan

negara-negara yang selama ini

mengenal Indonesia sebagai negara yang

dipimpin oleh seorang otoriter Gus Dur

waktu itu

memberikan kebijakan Agar warna

Indonesia ini harus berubah dan

kemana-mana harus kita menjelaskan bahwa

indonesia adalah new Indonesia yang

demokratis yang ingin bersahabat dengan

siapapun dan tetap berprinsip bebas dan

aktif

suatu hal yang mungkin perlu dicatat

bahwa kelaziman untuk menempatkan

duta besar di negara-negara Asean dari

Anggota militer itu semuanya di

tiadakan oleh Presiden Gus Dur dan untuk

menunjukkan kepada baik di dalam maupun

di luar negeri bahwa

kebijakan Indonesia di bidang

luar negeri

berubah dengan adanya perubahan dalam

orientasi kita Indonesia yang demokratis

Indonesia yang transparan dan Indonesia

yang

menginginkan

persahabatan dengan negara-negara

manapun sesuai peran presiden men lo

Alicia memiliki rumusan h dalam

menerjemahkan politik luar negeri bebas

dan aktif yang pertama adalah Eco

manical diplomasi artinya

membuka jendela Sekian banyak jendela

untuk menampung persahabatan perkawanan

dengan siapa saja tanpa membeda-bedakan

negara atau bangsa semuanya adalah teman

yang kedua slogan yaitu

pendulum yang selamat Orde Baru dianggap

terlalu ke barat pun disimbangkan dengan

langkah pendekatan lebih intensif ke

negara-negara timur seperti Cina dan

India

Gus Dur merasa bahwa hubungan kita

dengan Cina Betapapun sesama Asia ini

harus digalakkan Tapi beliau tidak

pernah mengatakan bahwa dengan hubungan

yang erat dengan China dan India akan

memperkecil hubungan kita dengan Barat

namun hal paling kontroversial dari

langkah politik luar negeri presiden

Abdurrahman Wahid adalah wacana

pembukaan hubungan dagang dengan Israel

ide tersebut memicu protes banyak

kalangan terutama dari kelompok Islam

pada masa Gus Dur Gus Dur melihat peta

di Amerika khususnya bahwa pada waktu

itu

menteri luar negeri Amerika adalah orang

Yahudi yang memimpin misi PBB adalah

orang Yahudi Yahudi yang begitu kuat

Amerika pada waktu itu Indonesia

memerlukan investasi besar-besaran dari

negara barat sebenarnya Gus Dur

menginginkan dengan membuka kantor misi

dagang itu akan membawa Simpati bagi

orang orang yang berkuasa di Amerika

pada waktu itu Clinton sendiri kita

ketahui bahwa sangat cenderung kepada

lobby Yahudi sehingga Gus Dur merasa

bahwa ini suatu kesempatan untuk kita

dapat meraih sebanyak mungkin investasi

dari barat dengan hanya membuka misi

dagang yang sebenarnya sudah

ada di Yordan di Maroko Qatar di Mesir

dan kenapa Indonesia tidak tanpa

berhubungan secara diplomatik dan tanpa

mengorbankan perjuangan Palestina

setelah Gus Dur jatuh Wakil Presiden

Megawati naik menjadi presiden kabinet

pun berubah Hasan Wirayuda menggantikan

Alwi Shihab sebagai menteri luar negeri

Hasan yang merupakan diplomat karier

melanjutkan politik luar negeri bebas

aktif dengan dihadapkan pada proses

demokratisasi di Indonesia yang masih

sangat muda Salah satu pilar yang

penting dari reformasi yang digulirkan

adalah upaya memajukan demokrasi

dengan kata lain kita juga dalam proses

pengambilan kebijakan politik luar

negeri telah terjadi

pergeseran kalau dulu pada masa orde

baru Katakanlah

yang namanya kebijakan politik luar

negeri

kebijakan yang diputuskan oleh Merdeka

Utara pejambon Merdeka Barat Katakanlah

sekarang sentra-sentra itu menyebar

tidak cukup lagi kita

fokus hanya pada pejambon

proses pengambilan keputusan

making harus menghitung

sentra-sentra yang

pengambilan kebijakan atau dalam proses

penentuan kebijakan yang begitu

tersebar tadi

karena itu pada masa saya menjabat di

luar negeri sangat aktif kita lakukan

upaya Rich

dengan parlemen dengan kelompok-kelompok

dan juga dengan publik

tanggal 10 Desember tahun 45 dalam

pidatonya

itu menekankan tentang perlunya

kebersamaan kebersatuan antara berbagai

kelompok masyarakat

hanya dengan persatuan yang

serapat-rapatnya demikian kata beliau

kita

baru akan mampu mengamankan kepentingan

nasional kita

kemajemukan aktor diplomasi tidak hanya

terjadi di dalam negeri namun juga dalam

konteks global

salah satu tantangan utama kita adalah

dunia internasional yang sangat fruit

sangat dinamis dulu mungkin saya

sampaikan tadi ada barat dan arah timur

kita kita tidak memposisikan diri kita

pendukung barat maupun Timur jadi semua

serba jelas Hitam Dan Putih Barat Timur

Kita di tengah lah tapi sekarang kan

situasi sangat fluid setiap permasalahan

ada konsilasi negara-negara yang

mendukung dan yang anting jadi semua

permasalahan itu sangat isu dependen

konsultasi negara-negara bukan tidak ada

yang baku seolah ada negara kelompok A

dan kelompok negara B melainkan

tergantung dari isunya mengenai masalah

perubahan iklim misalnya ada konstelasi

negara tertentu mengenai masalah

perusahaan senjata adalah

Indonesia ini sekarang dalam bebas

aktifnya harus bisa mendefinisikan

kepentingan kita di setiap permasalahan

itu dan coba melihat bagaimana kita

menciptakan like negara yang memiliki

Apa pandangan yang kehaluan dengan kita

Saya kira tidak ada negara yang bisa

aktif ya di seluruh isu itu yang paling

pertama yang yang yang yang harus kita

pahami nah dalam konteks itu memang

ketika misalnya orang melontarkan kritik

bahwa politik luar negeri Indonesia

tidak aktif itu kan akan tergantung

kepada di isu apa ataupun di lingkup

persoalan apa diharapkan Indonesia

mengambil peranan dan tentunya begitu

Indonesia

dibebani oleh

apa namanya impian sitoring karena di

dalam Pembukaan undang-undang dasar

Indonesia itu sejak awal mengatakan

bahwa kita harus terlibat aktif di dalam

percaturan internasional dalam

perdamaian dunia Jadi dari awal

Indonesia itu sudah menganggap dirinya

itu harus menjadi aktor regional tidak

cukup hanya menjadi penonton yang pasti

jadi selalu tuntutan kepada pemerintah

itu adalah apabila Indonesia kelihatan

hanya plastik dan reaktif Jadi kalau

bebas dan aktif berarti kita tidak

sekedar

merespons apa yang terjadi diluar tapi

kita juga ini

bukan hanya sekedar supaya

gagah-gagahan gitu tentu tidak semuanya

bisa tetap pegang tapi yang tentu

berkaitan dengan kepentingan Indonesia

kepentingan regional kepentingan

negara-negara berkembang dan sebagainya

tantangan utama itu adalah untuk selalu

bisa bebas dan aktif secara substantif

tidak hanya bebas yang aktif ketika kita

sibuk begitu menyelenggarakan seminar

menghadiri ke berbagai macam konferensi

menjadi tuan rumah berbagai-bagai

pertemuan tetapi secara substantif

sebenarnya kita hanya

apa namanya fasis kita hanya event

organizer gitu sementara substansinya

dikontrol oleh orang lain Saya kira

tantangannya itu Bagaimana mengisi bebas

aktif itu secara substantif

di bawah kepemimpinan Presiden Susilo

Bambang Yudhoyono kondisi domestik

Indonesia terus membaik sejalan dengan

reputasi internasional

masuknya Indonesia ke salah satu negara

anggota g20 merupakan salah satu

indikasinya

Selain itu Indonesia juga dikenal

sebagai negara yang demokratis

pencapaian tersebut memungkinkan

Indonesia untuk menjalin hubungan baik

yang lebih luas di berbagai forum

regional maupun internasional

di masa pemerintahannya inilah presiden

menerjemahkan prinsip politik luar

negeri Indonesia di era kontemporer

samudra yang bergejolak samudra yang

banyak sekali pulaunya diplomasi adalah

profesi yang sangat mulia diplomasi

adalah mengenai bagaimana kita bisa

menciptakan persahabatan antar bangsa

dan kita tidak harus apologi mengenai

masalah itu Seandainya kita menampilkan

sosok Indonesia yang bersahabat sosok

Indonesia yang ingin memiliki sejuta

kawan dan tidak ada musuh tidak harus

merasa itu sesuatu yang tidak apa tidak

Tidak baik justru sebaliknya ini sesuatu

yang mulia dan harus kita senantiasa

lanjutkan

this work

and morning

because the world you