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Analysis Of Indonesia's Active Free Policy Amidst The Tensions Of The US-China Conflict

The active non-alignment policy of Indonesia appears to be facing a dilemma. On one hand, Indonesia seeks to maintain friendships with all parties, while on the other hand, it aims to avoid conflicts between the United States and China. The Chief of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, stated that Indonesia's participation in BRICS is perceived as a potential threat to the dominance of the US dollar. "This certainly poses a problem. The United States has threatened that if BRICS continues its plans, it will impose a 100% import tariff on goods from BRICS countries. Indonesia has just joined, which raises questions," he remarked during the opening speech at the National Congress and Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. He emphasized that Indonesia is not entirely estranged from the United States despite its membership in BRICS, as the country is striving to maintain its active non-alignment stance without favoring either side. 

"Even though we are part of BRICS, we are still friends with them. We have not yet joined the OECD. Therefore, the challenge for Indonesia is to navigate its active non-alignment position without being drawn into the confrontation between the United States and China, while also ensuring that we can engage with all parties," Listyo stated. Meanwhile, Muhammad Habib, a researcher at the Department of International Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), expressed his concerns regarding Indonesia's strategy of engaging in various international platforms without thorough consideration. 

"In Indonesia's case, it often enters these platforms first without adequate calculations. Only after joining does it begin to assess the situation and set an agenda. This, in my opinion, does not truly reflect the essential meaning of active non-alignment," he told Bisnis. Nevertheless, this does not imply that Indonesia should refrain from joining various international organizations. What is crucial is that Indonesia understands the objectives behind its participation in these international entities. 

Tag: BRICS Indonesia Ap