An expert on International Relations has sent positive signals on a new leadership team at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hinting at their understanding on President Prabowo Subianto’s vision and mission statements on the country’s foreign policy.
International Relations Professor at Pajajaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, said that the appointment of Sugiono, a Gerindra party politician and close confidant of President Prabowo, as foreign minister shows that the president needs someone who can translate his foreign policy and someone who understand him well.
He cited that Prabowo is a seasoned politician with over 20 years of experience in military and defense affairs, who have widespread international relations and network.
“In terms of international relations and the country’s foreign policy, Prabowo needs to have someone who understands his way of thinking. And the person who can translate his foreign policy is his ideological son Sugiono,” Teuku Rezasyah spoke to Indonesia Business Post on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
He said that Sugiono has brilliant academic achievement because he had graduated from top US universities. Sugiono is also under Prabowo’s guidance as deputy chairman of Gerindra Party and member of the House of Representatives’ international politics, security and defense affairs Commission I.
“As a member of the House of Representatives, Sugiono has something that career diplomat does not, namely the skills needed to interact with other ministers and politicians,” he said.
Three deputy ministers
In addition to Foreign Minister Sugiono, Prabowo also appointed three new deputy ministers for foreign affairs. They are chairman of Gelora Party Anies Matta, and two career diplomats Arrmanatha Nasir and Arif Havas Oegroseno.
Teuku Rezasyah views Anies Matta as someone who has broad network in the Middle East and Africa, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Youth Groups in Southeast Asia.
“He is proficient in Arabic language and someone who has completely memorized the Quran. It will benefit Indonesia,” he said.
Arrmanatha Nasir, who had served ambassadorial posts in the United Nations, New York, and France, has broad network in Europe and the United States. Arrmantha, he cited, has link to global financial sources, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
“Indonesia in the globalization era needs to decide, for example, whether to join BRICs or not. It has been unclear so far,” Rezasyah said.
Meanwhile, Arif Havas Oegroseno is an expert in international law.
“Indonesia is currently facing legal disputes at border areas, including the South China Sea. It is the expertise of pak Arif Havas Oegroseno to settle the disputes,” Rezasyah concluded.
