Indonesia’s quiet Asean leadership calls for optimism

Marsudi speaking during a United Nations Security Council session on Jan 18, in New York. — Indonesia Foreign Ministry/The Jakarta Post/ANN

EXPECT Indonesia to continue adopting a “quiet diplomacy” approach for the rest of its Asean chairmanship this year, analysts have said amid growing frustration over the perceived lack of transparency surrounding urgent issues.

Indonesia is gearing up for its first Asean Summit this year, to be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara in May, away from the prying eyes of keen observers. Unlike the ubiquitous fanfare of last year’s Group of 20 presidency, Jakarta has opted for an understated approach to Asean this year, which is faced with a number of challenges that could undermine its credibility. More than three months into its year-long chairmanship, the government has offered few updates on its regional security agenda, while remaining conspicuously silent on difficult issues such as the Myanmar coup crisis.