Defense Minister Prabowo Supports US Participation in Keeping Stability in ASEAN Region

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto gave a warm praise for the US military in maintaining the stability in the ASEAN region. The military relationship between US and Indonesia recently has also been strengthened via the multilateral Super Garuda Shield exercise.

Super Garuda Shield is a progression from the previous Garuda Shield exercise which started in 2009. This year, the Super Garuda Shield exercise involved Indonesia, the US, Australia, Japan, France, and the UK.

Multiple countries were involved as observers, including ASEAN region countries (Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Timor Leste), Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, among others.

"As the coordinator country between ASEAN-US relationship, Indonesia acknowledges and praises the US involvement in the region through encouraging regional peace and stability, as well as prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region," Minister Prabowo said in his statement.

Prabowo was attending the 17th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and 10th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Wednesday.

He also praised Japan's role in safeguarding the stability. Japan is a close ally of the US in promoting the so-called Free and Open Indo Pacific strategy. 

Prabowo is currently running again for the presidency in 2024 elections. Previously, he stated that he was also interested in joining BRICS, in which Russia and China are members, if he is elected as the president. But he ruled out any military alliance with any geopolitical blocs.

Prabowo also supports a stronger relationship between ASEAN countries, saying that the ADMM and ADMM-Plus provides space for the countries to build military cooperation. 

ASEAN recently has been trying to solidify their military cooperation, a discussion was held last June during Indonesian ASEAN chairmanship, but there was a question about the enthusiasm. 

Defense expert Muhammad Haripin from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) highlighted the passive attitude from many ASEAN members.

"First, there is a concern from those countries because the intent of ASEAN was not as a defense pact. Second, there were internal views that defense issues were domestic issues. So, if there is a talk about military cooperation et cetera, there is a concern that ASEAN can also intervene in domestic affairs of its members," said Haripin last June as reported by VOA Indonesia.

An exercise did happen last July, focusing on maritime and disaster management, but not all ASEAN members participated. The exercise took place on 19 July to 23 July 2023 in Natuna Regency.

According to the Indonesian military press release, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand participated in the exercise.

Genantan Saputra from Merdeka.com contributed to this article.