Indonesian President Joko Widodo's 10 years in power have left many marks with practical policies for the people and enhanced the international position of this Southeast Asian country.
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| Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Source: Jakarta Daily) |
Since taking office as President of Indonesia in October 2014, Joko Widodo has improved living standards and enhanced the country's international standing through economic growth and strategic policies.
As the transition of power to successor Prabowo Subianto approaches, Indonesia needs to ensure it further leverages ASEAN to advance its national interests and build its role as an emerging leader in the developing world .
Economic growth and international status enhancement
After 10 years in power, Joko Widodo has transformed Indonesia into a country that enjoys healthy economic growth and a greater international standing. There is no denying that the policies of the Widodo administration have improved the living standards of millions of Indonesians and strengthened the country's international influence.
Specifically, Mr. Joko Widodo has presided over Indonesia's transition to a new economic plane with priorities of escaping the middle-income trap, addressing the challenges of extreme poverty, and asserting Jakarta's greater role in international affairs as an advocate for the interests of developing countries.
A notable achievement during Mr. Widodo's second term as President is Indonesia's hosting of the G20 Summit in 2022, a very difficult time when the world is facing many conflicts and instabilities.
In addition, Mr. Widodo's legacy also lies in the work of his right-hand men, most notably the "iron-clad" and highly capable Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Infrastructure Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
However, it is also necessary to acknowledge the effects arising from the financial legacy of heavy infrastructure spending or the unresolved challenges of institutional reform that President Widodo left for his successor.
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| G20 Summit chaired by Indonesia in November 2022. (Source: Reuters) |
Strengthening the role in ASEAN
Indonesia's relatively open intellectual environment, despite pressures on many other aspects of democracy, is a resource for the entire region.
ASEAN is at a critical juncture, facing the need to upgrade its institutions and policy agenda to reinforce its importance as the fulcrum of multilateral cooperation in East Asia. Indonesia’s participation in this effort is essential to its success.
Taking on a leadership role in ASEAN is an important opportunity for Indonesia to assert its international standing.
Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian region will certainly need Indonesia's involvement in the coming years to sustain any reform efforts that put ASEAN on the right track, and the fundamental stability of Indonesia's politics is an advantage in this regard.
For ASEAN, the political positive under President Widodo is the strong stability that can be mobilized by Indonesia's foreign policy leadership, both inside and outside the government, to build consensus that the Association is an important platform from which Indonesia can leverage its national interests and apply its capabilities as a leader of the developing and non-aligned world.
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