Erick Thohir on Indonesia Joining BRICS: Opposed by Friendly Countries, Yet Mutually Beneficial

January 9, 2025 | 11:10 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir said that Indonesia's admission as a full member of the economic group formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) could benefit Indonesia's trade with countries in the southern part.

Erick said the BRICS members are friendly countries to Indonesia. Indonesia, he said, is an independent country and is not affiliated with the right or the Eastern bloc. According to him, the pros and cons between the two parties could actually be an opportunity for Indonesia.

"And we also see that BRICS also has many friendly countries that are actually against it (Indonesia's admission). But it can also be mutually beneficial. We are with China, we are with India, we are with Russia," he said at a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, January 9, 2024.

Erick emphasized that as an independent country, Indonesia certainly has no problem joining any organization. Be it BRICS, the World Trade Organization (WTO), or other trade relations.

Earlier on Monday, January 6, 2025, Brazil, which holds the BRICS presidency, announced Indonesia's official membership in the organization, Anadolu reported.

"Indonesia, which has the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, shares the same views as other BRICS members in supporting global institutional reform and making positive contributions to strengthening cooperation among countries of the Global South," the statement said.

Indonesia's decision to join BRICS was first approved by member countries at a summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023.

BRICS members control 40 percent of the world's population and 35 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP), making them major players on the international stage.

Founded in 2009 with original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS now has more members after 13 new countries were appointed as partner countries in October 2024.

Sita Planasari contributed to the writing of this article.

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