President Jokowi: Collaboration, Not Proxy

As the United States and China battle for influence, ASEAN is often left to act as a proxy. However, what this region needs is collaboration.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno P Marsudi gives a statement to journalists at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Sunday (7/5/2023). The President went to Labuan Bajo to check final readiness ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit (Summit) on 9-11 May 2023.

WEST MANGGARAI, KOMPAS – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reiterated that ASEAN upheld the principle of collaboration and rejected proxies. This was conveyed in reference to the battle for influence between the two superpowers, the US and China.

“Indonesia’s principle during its ASEAN chairmanship is collaboration and cooperation with anyone. We don’t want ASEAN to become anyone’s or any country’s proxy. What we want is for ASEAN to be open, to cooperate with anyone and with any country,” said President Jokowi when answering journalists’ questions at Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday (7/5/2023).