joko widodo trip

Indonesia, Vietnam discuss South China Sea security, EVs as Jokowi visits

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Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi; Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by Jamie Freed

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Francesco leads a team of reporters in Vietnam that covers top financial and political news in the fast-growing southeast Asian country with a focus on supply chains and manufacturing investments in several sectors, including electronics, semiconductors, automotive and renewables. Before Hanoi, Francesco worked in Brussels on EU affairs. He was also part of Reuters core global team that covered the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in investigations into money laundering and corruption in Europe. He is an eager traveler, always keen to put on a backpack to explore new places.

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Indonesian president to visit Japan in late July on East Asia tour

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is planning a trip to East Asia, including a visit to Japan late this month to meet with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, an Indonesian government source said Wednesday.

During the envisaged tour, Joko is also expected to visit China and South Korea to meet with their respective leaders, Xi Jinping and Yoon Suk Yeol, according to the source.

The plan comes as the Southeast Asian country is poised to host a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in November. Joko has invited both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G-20 gathering as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has shown no signs of ending.

Through talks with the East Asian nations' leaders, the Indonesian president, popularly known as Jokowi, is expected to seek understanding of his invitation to Putin and Zelenskyy, the source said.

Indonesia has been trying to play the role of a bridge builder between Moscow and Kyiv. Joko made trips to Ukraine and Russia late last month, becoming the first Asian leader to visit the two countries since the war in Ukraine began in late February.

The Group of Seven major developed nations including Japan are adding pressure on Moscow through sanctions, while Xi and Putin agreed last month to work together to counter what they say is the international order dominated by the United States and democratic European countries.

Joko and Kishida last met in late April in Bogor near Jakarta, agreeing that the two nations will step up cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, a Japanese and U.S.-promoted vision to counter China's increasing military and economic influence in the region.

Including the G-7 nations -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union -- the G-20 also groups Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. Ukraine is not a member.

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Indonesia's Jokowi begins trip to Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei

Talks to include economy and defense as China's clout grows

JAKARTA/MANILA -- Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Tuesday left for the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei to meet his counterparts in those countries. 

Widodo is slated to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday during his visit to the Philippines, as the neighbors work to enhance their security cooperation and economic ties against a backdrop of growing Chinese influence. 

Philippines grapples with financial hurdle to buy U.S. F-16 fighters

Flashpoint is south china sea, not taiwan, says philippine envoy to u.s., philippines urges restraint following south china sea clash, japan and asean deepen ties as security, economic challenges mount, asean makes deals but no progress on south china sea, myanmar, latest on international relations, taiwan announces thailand investment deal, marking first pact under lai, philippines and u.s. to hold 2+2 talks in 'late july,' sources say, u.s. and japan face disconnect over further china chip controls, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo's trip to South China Sea islands a message to Beijing, says minister

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo's trip on a navy warship to the waters off Indonesia's Natuna islands on Thursday (June 23) is to send a clear signal that Indonesia is serious about defending its sovereignty, Coordinating Political and Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has said.

The rare trip shows that while Indonesia does not expect confrontation with other countries, it remains firm in its position, Mr Luhut told The Straits Times at his private residence late on Wednesday, the night before setting out to sea with the President.

"We remain friendly but Indonesia's territory and sovereignty remain Indonesia's. This is unnegotiable... There were breaches committed by Chinese (fishing vessels). We follow them up using the existing international laws. We do not budge," Mr Luhut said.

Mr Joko's trip comes just days after Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said in an interview with Reuters news agency that Indonesia would be more assertive in upholding its sovereignty over waters around the Natuna islands.

Skirmishes broke out between Indonesia and China after Indonesian navy warships detained a China-flagged vessel and its crew last Friday for fishing illegally in the area. The Indonesian navy said warning shots had to be fired to stop 12 Chinese fishing boats, but it detained only the Yueyandong Yu 19038 and its crew of seven because it was the only boat with its fishing nets cast at the time.

Mr Joko and his entourage flew to Ranai on Thursday before setting out to sea on a navy warship to the waters off the Natuna islands.

Ranai is the capital of Natuna Regency, which is located in the Natuna archipelago of the South China Sea, some 550km north-east of Batam island and 530km from Singapore.

Besides Mr Luhut, the other officials accompanying the President included Maritime and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Armed Forces Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo,

Mr Joko will lead a Cabinet meeting on board the navy warship to discuss the economic potential of the Natuna islands, which are considered as the country's strategic zones, according to a presidential palace statement.

Maritime, fishery and tourism development activities would fit the area and would bring prosperity to the people, said Mr Ari Dwipayana, who heads the presidential communications team. "The President wants to see for himself the condition of the Natuna islands to ensure the planned development would be more focused, clearer, and suitable," he added.

While the presidential palace did not reveal more details of the meeting's agenda, it will undoubtedly cover the issue of illegal fishing and the repeated claims by Beijing that Indonesia's exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, in the Natunas, is part of China's "traditional fishing grounds".

A provincial official told The Straits Times on Wednesday that Mr Joko plans to inspect the Chinese fishing boat held by the navy.

Jakarta had earlier criticised the presence of the Chinese fishing boats in the waters off Natuna Islands, with Western Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral A. Taufiq R calling it a ruse by Beijing to stake its claims in the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea while Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims. China's land reclamation works on disputed islands and reefs in the waterway as well as activities by its fishermen have escalated tensions in the region over the past year.

Indonesia is not a formal claimant in the disputes but grew concerned after Beijing said in March that the waters around the Natunas are part of its "traditional fishing grounds".

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Japan’s emperor meets with Indonesian president on his first official foreign trip as monarch

From left, Japan’s Empress Masako, Emperor Naruhito, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana walk to attend a tree planting ceremony during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Adi Weda/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, left, shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during a press conference following their meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, walks with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, second left, during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, second right, talks with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, second left, as Empress Masako, left, and Widodo’s wife Iriana look on during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, second left, speaks as Empress Masako, left, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, second right, and his wife Iriana listen during a press conference following their meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Empress Masako, right, and Emperor Naruhito react during their visit to Bogor Botanical Gardens in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, rear, react during a press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo following their meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left, accompanied by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, inspects an honor guard upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. The Japanese royals are on a weeklong visit in the country, their first official friendship trip abroad since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne four years ago.(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, Pool)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, left, talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, center, talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center right, as they walk with Empress Masako, third left, and Widodo’s Wife Iriana, second right, during their visit at Bogor Botanical Gardens in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, walks with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, right, and Empress Masako, react as Indonesia’s First Lady Iriana Widodo looks on during their visit at Bogor Botanical Gardens in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, second left, drives a golf cart as he gives a ride to Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, left, Empress Masako, third left, and Widodo’s wife Iriana during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, walks with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, center, and Empress Masako, left, during their visit to Bogor Botanical Gardens in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center left, and his wife Iriana, left, talk with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, second right, and Empress Masako during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Adi Weda/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, front left, Empress Masako, rear left, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right and his wife Iriana attend a tree planting ceremony during their meeting at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Adi Weda/Pool Photo via AP)

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BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday during his first official foreign trip since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

Widodo and first lady Iriana welcomed Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor presidential palace, along with greeters wearing Indonesian traditional clothes and a military band that played both national anthems.

“I feel very honored because Indonesia is the first destination for the Japanese emperor’s bilateral state visit abroad,” Widodo said.

Naruhito is seeking to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia during his weeklong visit, and officials said the two leaders would talk about cooperation between the countries.

Naruhito said he and Masako have been able to deepen their understanding of Indonesia’s people and culture while also reflecting on its history.

“I also sincerely hope that exchanges between young people from both countries will lead to further development of friendly relations between our two countries,” Naruhito said at a joint news conference at Bogor Palace.

The emperor arrived in the capital Saturday and visited some places in the city, including a station of the Jakarta MRT, which is Indonesia’s first subway line and was financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Naruhito planned to visit Indonesia’s heroes’ cemetery in Jakarta on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he is to travel to Yogyakarta, a city also on the island of Java that is the center of Javanese culture and the seat of royal dynasties going back centuries. On Thursday he plans to go to the Borobudur temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple.

Naruhito said before leaving Japan that cooperation with developing countries is key to dealing with global challenges such as climate change, energy and food. His trip comes as Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations mark 50 years of friendship this year, when Indonesia is serving as the ASEAN chair.

Japan is increasingly seeking to deepen ties with developing nations in tackling regional and global challenges. It is the largest provider of official development assistance to Indonesia, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Naruhito, 63, is Japan’s first emperor born after World War II, which was fought in the name of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito.

Japanese troops occupied Indonesia, then the Dutch East Indies colony, from 1942 until Tokyo surrendered in August 1945.

Widodo’s Russia-Ukraine trip divides critics in Indonesia

President Joko Widodo visited warring countries as part of efforts to repair disrupted supply chains.

Medan, Indonesia – When Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced plans to visit Russia and Ukraine last week, he raised hopes of a solution to export blockages that have sent food prices soaring globally.

“War has to be stopped and global food supply chains need to be reactivated,” Widodo said last Sunday before departing for Ukraine, the first trip by a Southeast Asian leader to the region since the war erupted in February.

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Striking a similar note, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed the need “to secure a grain corridor” from Ukraine, which is often described as “the bread basket of the world”, and release food and fertiliser exports from Russia.

The war in Ukraine has caused serious disruptions to food production and distribution, particularly for cereals and grains, exacerbating a spike in global food prices that has been fuelled by a confluence of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, bad weather and poor harvests.

But for some observers, the high hopes surrounding the trip failed to materialise, with unclear communication adding to a sense of confusion about what was actually achieved.

Following his visit to Moscow on June 30, Widodo on social media expressed his appreciation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for conveying “security guarantees for food and fertiliser supplies from both Ukraine and Russia” and said Indonesia’s only interest was to see “the end of the war soon and the supply chain of food, fertiliser and energy immediately repaired”.

But Radityo Dharmaputra, an international relations lecturer at Airlangga University in Surabaya, said Widodo’s social media posting had created confusion about what Putin had actually said or agreed to.

“There seem to be mixed messages. Putin did not make any promises about fertiliser exports, so it would seem from things like that the trip was not a success,” Dharmaputra told Al Jazeera.

“We don’t know if Putin will do something behind the scenes but this was not based on any public statements and there does not seem to have been a firm commitment made about food and fertiliser.”

Dharmaputra said the optics of the tour were effective, with Widodo’s itinerary playing out in real time as photos of the trip, which included a visit by his wife to a Ukrainian hospital, were uploaded to social media.

“From a communications point of view, it was good for Jokowi’s image, particularly if we look at the domestic media coverage, but it shouldn’t just be about that,” he said.

Dharmaputra said a social media posting in which Widodo said he had been asked to relay a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Putin – a claim rebuffed by the Ukrainian government – had also called into question the purpose of the “peace mission” as a whole.

“Zelenskyy’s legitimacy depends on him not talking to Putin at all after the tragedies in Ukraine, so it will have been hard for the Ukrainian people to have heard the message from Jokowi,” Dharmaputra said.

“It is possible that Zelenskyy did indeed send a message to Putin via Jokowi, but perhaps he should not have told the public about that. It will be a big problem for Zelenskyy as people will be wondering if he meant that he wanted to meet up with Putin or perhaps give up territory to Russia.”

It is possible the full effect of Widodo’s trip will not be apparent until the G20 summit in November.

Indonesia, which currently holds the annual presidency of the G20, has extended invitations to Putin and Zelenskyy, with the latter reportedly planning to attend via video link.

“Jokowi’s success regarding the visit will depend very much on the follow-up,” Dandy Rafitrandi, an economic researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, told Al Jazeera.

“The war has had a real negative impact on the world economy, including Indonesia’s domestic economy, especially through imported inflation. Indonesia, as the host of this year’s G20, needs to understand that the crisis caused by this war will have the greatest impact on lower-middle-income countries and countries that depend on food and energy imports. These countries are still not fully recovered from the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and must again face increasingly high food and energy prices.”

Rafitrandi said Indonesia could seek to use the G20 as a platform to bridge the divide between Russia and Ukraine.

“In the short term, Indonesia, through the G20, can mobilise commitments and resources from G20 members for the World Food Programme and the Global Alliance for Food Security promoted by the G7 group. In addition, it can call on G20 members not to use export restrictions in conditions of limited global supply, especially for food, fertiliser and energy products.”

Maria Monica Wihardja, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said the Indonesian leader’s trip could not be separated from the G20 summit and the economic issues that will be on its agenda.

“High on the G20 agenda is global food security,” Wihardja told Al Jazeera, noting that the summit features mechanisms to monitor progress on improving food security, including the Agricultural Market Information System.

“Poor households, low-income countries and countries that are already experiencing humanitarian crises, such as Yemen, Syria and Libya, are hardest hit by the trade disruptions and elevated food prices because of the war in Ukraine.”

Indonesia itself has been deeply affected by food security issues, with Widodo earlier this year implementing a temporary ban on exports of palm oil in response to soaring domestic prices and supply constraints.

Local oil palm farmers have also reported problems sourcing the chemical fertiliser needed to grow their crops, the ingredients of which are mainly imported from Russia, the world’s largest supplier of chemical fertiliser along with neighbouring Belarus.

Zamroni Salim, the head of the Research Center for Macroeconomics and Finance (BRIN) in Jakarta, said Widodo’s trip should be viewed through a realistic lens.

“The visit by the president of Indonesia will not necessarily stop the war but at least it may prevent a more aggressive war,” Salim told Al Jazeera.

“When conflicts do not escalate and the number of warring parties does not increase, the impact on the economy, particularly in terms of price shocks and food and energy supply in the world market, can also be suppressed. So the ‘peace mission’ undertaken by Jokowi may indirectly provide benefits to the global economy.”

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Japan's emperor meets with Indonesian president on his first official foreign trip as emperor

Japanese emperor naruhito is meeting with indonesian president joko widodo on the third day of his first official foreign trip since ascending the chrysanthemum throne in 2019, article bookmarked.

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Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday, the third day of his first official foreign trip since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

Widodo and Indonesia's first lady, Iriana, welcomed Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor presidential palace, along with greeters wearing Indonesian traditional clothes and a military band that played both national anthems.

“I feel very honored because Indonesia is the first destination for the Japanese emperor’s bilateral state visit abroad," Widodo said.

Naruhito is seeking to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia during his week-long visit, and officials said the two leaders would talk about cooperation between the countries.

The emperor arrived in the capital Saturday and visited some places in the city, including a station of the Jakarta MRT, which is Indonesia's first subway line and was financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Naruhito planned to go to Indonesia’s heroes cemetery in Jakarta on Tuesday.

For Wednesday, he has scheduled a trip to Yogyakarta, a city also on the island of Java that is the center of Javanese culture and a seat of royal dynasties going back centuries. He plans to go on Thursday to the Borobudur temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple.

Naruhito said before leaving Japan that cooperation with developing countries is key to dealing with global challenges such as climate change, energy and food. His trip comes as Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations mark 50 years of friendship this year, when Indonesia is serving as the ASEAN chair.

Japan is increasingly seeking to deepen ties with developing nations in tackling regional and global challenges. Japan is the largest provider of official development assistance to Indonesia, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Naruhito, 63, is Japan’s first emperor born after World War II, which was fought in the name of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito.

Japanese troops occupied Indonesia, then the Dutch East Indies colony, from 1942 until Tokyo surrendered in August 1945.

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First overseas trip during pandemic to take Widodo to three nations

• October 30, 2021 22:43 GMT+700

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Visa extension, climate finance agreements as Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Sydney

Australia will ease some visa rules for Indonesians visiting the country, as part of a series of agreements struck during President Joko Widodo's visit to Sydney.

Key points:

• Mr Widodo's 36-hour visit is likely to be his last as he approaches the end of his tenure 
• He met with Anthony Albanese for bilateral talks today
• Easing of visa restrictions announced with Indonesians able to access five year visas

The head of state met with business and political leaders today, in what is expected to be his last visit as president as he nears the end of a second and final term in office.

Following bilateral talks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Indonesians will have immediate access to an extended visa from three to five years.

Indonesia has been advocating for easier access to Australian visas, arguing the current process is onerous and costly.

Mr Albanese said Indonesian citizens would also get access to the Frequent Traveller Scheme visa.

"This offers a 10-year visa validity, making an enormous difference in removing impediments to our closer relationship," Mr Albanese said.

The Australian government has also announced $50 million to attract private climate finance to Indonesia under the Climate and Infrastructure Partnership between the two countries.

Discussions also featured a strong focus on bolstering education and cultural links and will see a revamped program teaching Indonesian language and culture in Australian schools.

Former Australian ambassador to Indonesia John McCarthy said it marked a shift in emphasis to boosting mutual understanding and trade between neighbours.

"The visa issue, for example, is really quite important for the Indonesians. It has been very hard to get in Australia for most Indonesians," Mr McCarthy told the ABC.

"That's being eased up, that's very positive. The importance of business, we are way behind what we should be, both countries, in terms of trade and mutual investment, that too is being emphasised, so I think we're probably on the right track, both of them."

The Indonesian leader, widely known as Jokowi, remains highly popular with approval ratings above 70 per cent in his homeland.

Griffith University's Business School Pro Vice-Chancellor, Caitlin Byrne, said the president's trip near the end of his tenure was an "important statement".

"There's no surprise in the fact that Joko Widodo is very internally-focused, Indonesia is an archipelagic nation, national unity is one of his core priorities and he would have to travel quite a bit across the nation," she said.

"But certainly for the bilateral relationship, this visit matters and it's important as he nears the end of his term.

"Widodo has made it very clear that he would like to talk about some very concrete projects and would like to see concrete actions come out of this, particularly in the economic space."

Indonesia has ambitions to become a global hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing, and it is expected today's talks in Sydney will focus on how Australia could help supply minerals to its neighbour .

Both nations have large reserves of nickel and other important minerals for electric vehicle batteries, but Indonesia lacks lithium.

"There's a fair bit of reciprocity in here, Australia as one of the largest producers of lithium, for example, we'll have an opportunity potentially to supply lithium to Indonesia and potentially also do some minerals processing before that goes offshore," Professor Byrne said.

"But of course, as well, Australians might be very keen to import electric vehicles from our neighbour.

"At the moment, there's a very long waiting list and it takes a long time to get an electric vehicle out here, so that could be a solution for Australia that we've been looking for."

Lingering concern about AUKUS

While the leaders regard each other as friends, the issue of defence and security remains somewhat of a sticking point between the two nations.

Indonesia and Australian officials have been negotiating a new defence cooperation agreement that could pave the way for joint military exercises .

But Australian National University emeritus professor Greg Fealy said Indonesia and its neighbours remained uneasy about Australia's AUKUS defence pact with the US and the UK.

"Many of the South-East Asian, but not all of the South-East Asian nations, feel that this entrenches and perhaps exacerbates the rivalry between the two superpowers, China and the United States, and they see Australia as more firmly in the US corner as a result of AUKUS," Emeritus Professor Fealy told the ABC.

Professor Byrne said while the two countries approach security with "very different perspectives", she believed there was the potential for some positive steps that could bolster security in the Indo-Pacific.

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The significance of Jokowi’s visit to Manila

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia in May 2023.

Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines – Indonesian President Joko Widodo is set to make a three-day official visit to the Philippines from January 9 to 11, and is scheduled to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the 10th.

The trip reciprocates Marcos’ visit to Indonesia in September 2022 – his first foreign travel as chief executive – where he was welcomed by the Indonesian president, who is popularly known as Jokowi.

Malacañang said in a press statement that the visit seeks to review how diplomatic relations between Manila and Jakarta are progressing following Marcos’ state visit to Indonesia two years ago.

During that trip, the Marcos administration signed four deals , the most prominent of which was the renewal of a 1997 defense agreement focusing on joint exercises, development of defense technology, and logistical cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia.

Since then, tensions have increased dramatically in the South China Sea, amid provocations – as Marcos previously described them – by China against Philippine ships.

Marcos has met with Jokowi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit last year, but the Indonesian president’s trip to Manila offers yet another chance for the two to compare notes in terms of addressing the threats posed by Beijing in the maritime region.

“What we want is to ensure that we get to secure what is rightfully ours based on international law, while working with our like-minded partners, our neighbors especially,” geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill told Rappler in a phone interview.

“President Marcos Jr. floated the idea of a new code of conduct between and among Southeast Asian states. I think these areas converge with the leadership in Manila and Jakarta. You know, on one hand, trying to ensure that the region builds up its own capabilities, but on the other hand, not falling victim to great power politics,” added Gill, an international studies lecturer at the De La Salle University.

Mary Jane’s case

The visit also gives Marcos an opportunity to personally bring up with Jokowi the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a migrant Filipino worker who has been on Indonesia’s death row for over a decade due to drug trafficking.

Marcos himself did not raise the matter when he met with Jokowi in September 2022 in Jakarta, although Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo asked the Indonesian government, through his counterpart, to grant executive clemency to Veloso.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in May 2023, Marcos asked Jokowi to examine the case again.

“I believe that it’s not a thing that only takes place when both leaders meet. I think that it’s ongoing. Of course, I believe that a sustainable outcome may be achieved, will be achieved, given, of course, the convergence of interests between President Marcos Jr. and President Jokowi,” Gill said.

In the past, Marcos said his administration is not giving up on Veloso, as the Philippine government seeks legal remedies that include pardon, commutation of sentence, or extradition.

Jokowi’s retirement

Indonesians are heading to the polls next month to select the successor of Jokowi, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.

It is the end of an era not just in Indonesian politics but in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, where Jokowi has emerged as among the most influential voices.

Gill stressed that the retiring Jokowi is far from a lame duck. The Indonesian president’s defense minister, Prabowo Subianto , is the front-runner in the presidential race, and Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka is his running mate.

“There would be that level of continuity and whatever would be discussed between President Marcos Jr. and President Widodo would be significant because I believe that if the frontrunner wins, then, of course, this would continue to be carried out in the next administration because, you know, the Philippines-Indonesia relationship is of great significance,” Gill said.

The presidential vote in the world’s third largest democracy will be held on February 14. A runoff election will be held in June if no candidate gets a simple of majority of the votes. Jokowi’s successor will assume office in October. – Rappler.com

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Public urge immediate data collection after ransomware attack in Indonesia

Saturday, 29 Jun 2024

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Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi (left) looks at National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) head Hinsa Siburian (right), who gives a thumb up toward reporters, ahead of a meeting about the recent ransomware attack on the temporary National Data Centre facilities with House of Representatives Commission 1 overseeing communications and information at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on June 27, 2024. - Photo: Antara

JAKARTA: The government has been urged to immediately disclose the types of data affected by last week’s ransomware attack at a temporary National Data Centre (PDN) facility and to take swift action to recover the lost data.

With 98 percent of all affected data having been rendered inaccessible without any backups, analysts said that the government would have no choice but to recollect it from scratch, a move that will cost a fortune and require extensive efforts.

Since June 20, at least 282 databases of agencies in central government and regional administrations have been impacted by a cyberattack using Brain Cipher, a new variant of the LockBit 3.0 ransomware, which blocks user access and disrupts various public services, including immigration services.

The attackers have demanded an US$8 million ransom, which the government refuses to pay.

During a meeting with House of Representatives Commission I overseeing communications and information on Thursday (June 27), Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said the ministry had only backed up 2 percent of all compromised data.

The statement was met by analysts, such as Nenden Sekar Arum of the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), with condemnation and louder calls for an immediate recovery of the lost data.

“The most important thing is ensuring that public services can resume, for which data recovery would certainly help,” the group’s executive director said on Friday.

As of Friday evening, immigration services were reportedly struggling to resume normal functions, resulting in thousands of pending passport requests.

The immigration office had received hundreds of complaints in the past week, with many demanding the office start manually entering data as online databases were still inaccessible.

“The staff did not provide any solutions when we asked,” Chrysant Putri, whose trip to Malaysia for her husband’s cancer treatment was delayed indefinitely due to the cyberattack, told The Jakarta Post.

“They could at least just enter my data manually. As they’re staying put, there’s nothing I can do either,” she continued.

The manual re-entry of all affected data, as suggested by Chrysant, might be the only feasible way toward recovery, according to Nenden.

“This will indeed be troublesome for people because they have the responsibility to fill in their [data] again.”

‘Stupidity’

During Thursday's meeting, Minister Budi pledged that a full recovery was expected by the second week of August.

Such an effort would be followed up by a full audit that was expected to be complete by the end of September.

The recent cyberattack also inspired the ministry to improve its governance, he added, saying that a ministerial decree was in the works to require all ministries, agencies and regional offices storing data in PDN to make backups.

Budi’s statement was met with sharp criticism from Commission I chair Meutya Hafid of the Golkar Party: “If there’s no backup, that’s not a lack of governance. That’s stupidity.”

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered a full audit of the data centers, covering “the governance and financial aspects”, said Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) head Muhammad Yusuf Ateh following a cabinet meeting on Friday, as reported by Reuters.

While the deadlines were set for recovery and auditing, the government should not wait too long to practice transparency on the details of the ransomware attack, including an announcement about the non-recoverable data.

“The government must inform the public whether the data lost includes critical or sensitive data, such as the citizenship identification numbers [NIK], as this determines how big the impact will be,” said Wahyudi Djafar, executive director of rights group Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), asserting that transparency would allow for risk mitigation.

The cyberattack resulting in the blockage of authorized parties’ access to sensitive data may compromise the information integrity, since unauthorized people now possess the data, he added.

“This can jeopardize the economy, health and other sectors,” Wahyudi continued.

The government should remain alert to the possibility that the lost data may be misused by the attackers despite the National Cyber and Encryption Agency’s (BSSN) assurance that the encrypted data remained in the PDN server, said cybersecurity expert Ardi Sutedja.

“Hackers normally don’t work alone. They are in a group where each individual has its role, including unlocking encrypted data,” he said.

“The government can’t underestimate this as hackers are now more skillful than a decade ago.”

Experts labeled the latest cyberattack as the worst in the country’s history due to its massive impact on public services, leaving citizens eligible to file a class action lawsuit against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration for negligence in protecting their personal information, as stipulated in the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law and the Personal Data Protection Law.

“People can challenge President Jokowi in the court since the temporary PDN was mandated in a presidential regulation,” Wahyudi of ELSAM said, “apart from the fact that the failure of data protection and public services affected many ministries at the same time.” - The Jakarta Post/ANN

Tags / Keywords: Indonesia , Public , urge , data , collection , ransomware , attack

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