Indonesia Remains a Strategic Partner

AP PHOTO/STEVEN SENNE

Election officer Doreen Manzi (right), assists voters in an initial direct vote at several polling stations in the basement of Saint Anthony of Padua Church, in Revere, Massachusetts, Monday (19/10/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Regardless of Donald Trump or Joe Biden winning the US presidential election on Tuesday (3/11/2020), both options will similarly be advantageous for Indonesia. This is because the US still urgently needs Indonesia’s ability to maintain a dynamic balance in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, Habibie Center ASEAN studies head Ahmad aseanIbrahim Al-Muttaqi in Jakarta is of the opinion that Indonesia may prefer a Republican government. This is because Republicans are more open to free markets, are not fussy about environmental and human rights issues and can relate to the conservatism embedded in Indonesia’s governance. Having a Republican government therefore could ease Indonesia-US relations.