3 hours ago
7
February 13, 2025 | 10:31 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ady Muzwardi, an academic in International Relations at Raja Ali Haji Maritime University in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, believes that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Indonesia presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations, particularly amid the uncertainty in the global economy and recent financial challenges in the United States.
According to Ady, Erdogan’s working visit offers Indonesia a chance to build closer ties with Turkey, a key player in the Middle East. The visit also opens up potential pathways for Indonesia to enhance its natural resource supply.
"The global landscape is increasingly uncertain, and financial dynamics are trending downward, so we need Turkey. It is hoped that the two countries can strengthen cooperation across military, educational, and economic sectors," said Ady.
He noted that President Prabowo Subianto has shown a strong affinity for countries within the BRICS bloc, such as China, Russia, and now Turkey. Ady acknowledged that Prabowo’s stance aligns with the foreign policy direction established by former President Joko Widodo, which has leaned toward China.
"Now, we must evaluate Indonesia's position—whether we will actively engage with global dynamics or remain passive," Ady, also the Head of the Department of Sociology and Political Science at Raja Ali Haji Maritime University, told Tempo on February 12.
Erdogan's visit is seen as a positive step in fortifying Indonesia's relationships with major global players outside of China. Key sectors ripe for cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey include defense and security, which have been priority areas for Prabowo's administration.
"Given the failure of military cooperation with South Korea, Turkey could become an alternative partner for military collaboration, such as in the development of defense systems, fighter jets, and more," Ady explained.
In the educational sector, Ady hopes that Turkey will offer more scholarship opportunities for Indonesian students. As for trade relations, he anticipates that the trade balance between the two countries might not be particularly substantial in the short term.
"However, in the context of bilateral cooperation, both nations stand to gain mutually. Indonesia benefits from a strong leader like Erdogan, who holds influence over other major countries," Ady added.
Ady believes that the meeting between Turkey and Indonesia could further strengthen relations with other nations as well. As Indonesia seeks to diversify its partnerships beyond the United States, Erdogan should be regarded as a strategic partner. This is particularly crucial in light of the economic challenges currently facing the United States, which have led to a reduction in cooperative efforts, such as the recent cut in USAID funding.
"Military cooperation between Indonesia and the United States, which has lasted for many years, is likely to diminish due to the United States' increasingly constrained financial position," he said.
Ady emphasized that Indonesia should seek strong global partners beyond the United States, although the nation continues to maintain cordial relations with it. "But we must be realistic—we need robust partnerships to support Indonesia’s defense, security, education, and economic stability," he concluded.
Editor’s Choice: Erdogan Says Turkey Committed to Partake in IKN Construction
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Free Nutritious Meal Budget Slashed by Rp200 Billion, What's the Reason?
4 jam lalu
Chair of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hidayana said the budget for the free nutritious meal program was cut by 0.2845 percent.
Indonesia Lags Behind ASEAN Peers Despite Climb in Corruption Index Ranking
11 jam lalu
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Indonesia in 2024 increased by three points to 37. This increase also boosted Indonesia's rank to 99 out of 180 countries.
Jokowi Tells Gibran: Don't Cross the Line
15 jam lalu
Jokowi said that he always reminded his son to "ojo kemajon". This is a Javanese phrase that means not to be too forward or not to cross the line.
Prabowo: Indonesia Seeks Joint Venture with Turkish Defense Companies
16 jam lalu
According to Prabowo, Indonesia's cooperation with Turkiye has been going well.
French President Emmanuel Macron to Visit Indonesia in May 2025
16 jam lalu
French President Emmanuel Macron will be visiting Indonesia in May 2025.
DPR Says Prabowo's Budget Cuts Ineffective
17 jam lalu
Prabowo's Presidential Instruction on budget cuts requires ministries and institutions to reconstruct their budgets.
Erdogan Says Turkey Committed to Partake in IKN Construction
17 jam lalu
Erdogan sees the expansion of cooperation in various fields between the two countries as important, ranging from agriculture, halal industry, and so on.
Turkish President Erdogan Welcomed with Ceremony at Indonesia's Bogor Palace
20 jam lalu
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the Presidential Palace for a bilateral meeting with Prabowo Subianto.
Time to Overhaul the Police
21 jam lalu
President Prabowo is keeping the police untouched. The institution is increasingly making the people uneasy.
Jokowi: No Political Discussion in Meetings with Prabowo
21 jam lalu
Jokowi claims to never discuss political issues when meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.
