National defense expert Professor Armaidy Armawi from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s readiness to face growing geopolitical threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
These threats encompass military risks and involve political and economic power struggles, demanding severe attention from the new administration.
“The Indo-Pacific will become a contested region, and Indonesia must be prepared to tackle emerging challenges, especially territorial sovereignty and national defense. The philosophy ’a thousand friends is still too few, one enemy is too many’ remains relevant but must be accompanied by caution in future steps,” Professor Armawi stated on Wednesday (Oct. 23).
He pointed out that the region, from the North Natuna Sea to Australia’s southern border, has become a strategic battleground for global powers due to its abundant natural resources and strategic location.
Professor Armawi highlighted that Indonesia cannot rely solely on friendly relations with neighboring countries but must remain vigilant against competition’s gradual yet real influence.
The new government is expected to leverage the current uncertain global situation to strengthen Indonesia’s position, as, ultimately, the Indonesian people will be affected.
“This geopolitical transformation may not be immediately visible, but we must be wary of the competition for influence and power. It is about protecting territorial boundaries and safeguarding our natural resources from external exploitation,” the UGM Faculty of Philosophy lecturer added.
Professor Armawi elaborated on Indonesia’s significant challenge in maintaining its vast territory. He suggested that Indonesia’s defense system should be rooted in its archipelagic nature.
With numerous neighboring countries, Indonesia must ensure that its defense equipment and troop numbers are sufficient to maintain sovereignty.
“If we calculate based on the size of our territory, we are still lacking in troop numbers,” he explained.
On the domestic front, Professor Armawi underscored the importance of restoring public trust as the foundation of national resilience.
He cited several challenges faced by Indonesians over the past decade, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, which have impacted public welfare, including access to jobs and education.
“Resilience has two sides: welfare and security. The people must be prioritized because they are the backbone of the nation’s defense,” he said.
Professor Armawi stressed that the new administration’s success in addressing these challenges will depend heavily on unity, a strong national vision, and tangible efforts to uphold the law and implement the constitution as the fundamental basis of national resilience.
According to him, the true measure of a government’s success is how well it adheres to and consistently implements the constitution.
“The government’s task is simple as the constitution outlines: to protect all its citizens. There should be no vast divide between the rich and the poor, but rather a prosperous Indonesian people. The constitution also states that the government should promote the general welfare and educate the nation,” he said.
“By achieving these goals, the nation can compete globally, standing tall and being on equal footing in international relations.”
Author: Philosophy UGM/Gloria
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik