By: Ahsan Zoelva *)
Jakarta, CIDISS – As from 15 to 18 February 2016, Mr. Jokowi has the second tour of duty to United States as Indonesian President to United States (US). This time, Mr. Jokowi’s goal is to attend the US-ASEAN Summit held in Sunnylands, California. Not only that, Mr. Jokowi also lined up to be a main speaker at the US-ASEAN Business Council in San Francisco. However, Mr. Jokowi’s visit this time not only to attend the multilateral forum. In addition to the US-ASEAN summit and US-ASEAN Business Council, Mr, Jokowi also scheduled to visit a number of giant IT companies in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.
President Jokowi’s tour of duty to the US this time was expected will give such a fresh breeze of its own. There are so many public who expects that Mr. Jokowi’s trip to US this time will make a positive contribution particularly to the national’s economic condition. Mr. Jokowi is expected will fight for a number of issues that being assessed will give a positive contribution to Indonesia in the presence of leaders of the US and other ASEAN countries.
Of course, Mr. Jokowi answered the expectations of the people in earnest. There are at least three important things delivered by President Jokowi in the US as a crystalization of Indonesian’s interests in the eyes of the international community. First, at the US-ASEAN summit, President Jokowi emphasizes that it is important to ensure that the results of the summit which was held beneficial to the welfare and peace for Indonesia, ASEAN, and the world. Second, Mr. Jokowi emphasizes how important alignments on micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the digital information age. And third, the President Jokowi on a tour yesterday also emphasizing the importance of the role of the world to combat terrorism in any form.
The three issues that being delivered by President Jokowi is a crystallization of the interest of Indonesia that should be known by the world. Why? Obviously, due to realize these interests, Indonesia needs help and synergy from the international community, in this case the US and other ASEAN countries. Suppose that in terms of development of SMEs. Indonesia requires harmonious cooperation of the ASEAN countries, including the United States, in order to optimize the role of SMEs as the spearhead of the nation’s economic development, especially when entering the MEA as it is right now. As another example, in terms of fighting terrorism, Indonesia certainly need a helping hand from other countries, especially neighboring countries, to fight against terrorism because of the nature of terrorism is asymmetrical and borderless.
From various news sources, there was explained that all ASEAN countries and the US are excited about the three points that being emphasized by President Jokowi. The enthusiasm of the course will result to a closer cooperation between Indonesia with ASEAN countries and the US. Thus, it is no exaggeration if we assume that the President’s visit to the US yesterday Jokowi will become “a sweet fruit” and contribute positively to the Indonesian people. [AZ]
*) CIDISS Contributor
