By: Rini Winda A
Indonesia was entrusted as the Chair of ASEAN in 2023 and received many compliments, both within and from foreign guests, for the success of holding the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo. Moreover, the event took place in the midst of challenges and uncertainties in the global situation and after the Corona outbreak.
These moments included the ASEAN leaders who were invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to enjoy the sunset from a pinisi boat in the waters of Labuan Bajo Harbor, East Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday, May 10 2023, which became an unforgettable moment.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he felt happy and comfortable in Labuan Bajo to see the sunset. The first time he visited Labuan Bajo, Lee Hsien Loong said that one of the places in Indonesia was more beautiful in real than in the photo.
Meanwhile Prince Abdul Mateen from Brunei Darussalam who accompanied his father also said that Bajo was very beautiful and he was happy to be there with a different atmosphere at the ASEAN Summit.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos also enjoyed the atmosphere on board the Bajo pinisi which could clear and refresh his mind from the country’s problems. Even Bajo is called a romantic place as promised by President Joko Widodo, as a very good idea to clear your mind so you can get back to work.
Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Marga Social Association (PSMTI), Wilianto Tanta, appreciated the performance of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for nearly 10 years leading Indonesia. Thanks to Jokowi’s leadership, Indonesia has experienced a lot of progress in various sectors, including the economy, infrastructure, education and health. Especially Indonesia, which is currently the Chair of the Asean Summit, is a very extraordinary momentum.
In addition, Member of Indonesian Communicologist from Airlangga University, Dr. Suko Widodo, also stated that President Jokowi’s performance and image at the ASEAN Summit would increase statesmanship and bring Indonesia’s good name. President Jokowi’s role in the 2023 ASEAN Summit is smart work.
Hasrullah, a communicaologist from Hasanuddin University in Makassar, assessed that President Jokowi was right in choosing Phinisi because the ship from Bulukumba, South Sulawesi was born, the compass and each of its big dippers were never wrong to lead the captain to the pier and set sail to serve the ocean waves. Hasrullah was also optimistic that President Jokowi could actually spend more time playing the role of a statesman at the world level.
Pelita Harapan University Communicologist Emrus Sihombing, believes that the ASEAN Summit has become an oasis of longing for the Indonesian people. As if the President of Indonesia presents the freshness of political communication. Hopefully soon Mr. Jokowi will be drinking tea with all the chairmen of political parties to discuss the international role that Indonesia can play at the global level.
Carrying the spirit of ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth, this Summit makes ASEAN stronger and becomes the epicenter of world growth, remains a peaceful region, upholds human and democratic values, and strengthens cooperation so that the economy can progress.
ASEAN has been successful in becoming a locomotive for peace and prosperity in the region for more than 50 years. However, this locomotive role can only be carried out if all member countries unite and if ASEAN maintains its neutrality.
This time, Indonesia’s chairmanship is the fifth time, where previously Indonesia served as Chair of ASEAN in 1976, 1996, 2003 and 2011. The 2023 ASEAN Summit was held in a number of locations across the archipelago, including Labuan Bajo, NTT. As for the ASEAN Plus Summit which will be attended by member countries and ASEAN partner countries in September 2023, in Jakarta.
This year, the 2023 ASEAN Summit has been held in Labuan Bajo and will continue in Jakarta in September 2023. During the ASEAN 2023 Summit series, Indonesia held a number of events and side events such as the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum, focusing on several activities, namely Creative Economy, Youth Conference on Digital Economy for SDGs, Infrastructure Forum, and Business and Investment Summit.
The future of ASEAN must begin to be prepared to welcome ASEAN 2045. ASEAN’s centrality must be strengthened in order to be able to maintain peace, stability, prosperity in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Cooperation in handling cross-border crimes is also important to be strengthened, as is the case with the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue.
While the “Epicentrum of Growth” or growth center, Indonesia is determined to continue to make the Southeast Asia Region a center of economic growth.
Indonesia has shown a real contribution in making the ASEAN Region a barometer of cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN 2023 takes the theme ‘Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’. With ‘Asean Matters,’ Indonesia is determined to make Asean remain important and relevant to the Asean people and the world. []
Rini Winda A. (Senior Media Contributor / Political Economy Observer)
