Minister Luhut Told US, China: We Don't Take a Side

TheIndonesia.id - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has highlighted Indonesia's position as a strong country that can be a balancing force between the two major global powers, China and the United States (US).

"Indonesia is a big country, a rich country, a country that doesn't need to side with anyone. I tell this message to my friends in China and America," he remarked at the 2022 Business Challenges webinar, which was accessed by Wednesday.

He said that the potential could make Indonesia a balancing force between the two countries.

"So, we position Indonesia as a strong counterweight. And we can take advantage, I think, for the masses, in this regard," he added.

He said his message included claims over the waters of the South China Sea. Indonesia has never had a problem with the claims, he added.

"There is Natuna, there is the South China Sea, we have no problems. There are no problems there. As far as territorial integrity and Indonesian integrity are concerned, we have never discussed it with anyone. Thus, our position is firm," he stressed.

He recalled telling US Foreign Affairs Minister Antony Blinken during a recent meeting that Indonesia is different now from how it was 15 to 20 years ago.

Thus, it would be a big mistake if the US does not consider Indonesia as important, he added.

"I said to Antony, 'You forgot Indonesia. You don't count Indonesia in. I don't think you should be doing that, but if you don't want to count (Indonesia) in, that's okay. We can survive (on our own), really.' So that's the message I got to tell them, that this is Indonesia. It's different from Indonesia 15–20 years ago," he elaborated.

He also said that Indonesia does not take any country's side at all. All countries are considered allies, as long as the cooperation is mutually beneficial, he added.

"We say that whoever is involved, for us, we are friends. There is no problem as long as it is mutually beneficial," he remarked.