Indonesia passes a law to move its capital from Jakarta to Borneo
The Indonesian government passed a bill on 18 January 2022 to move the capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan in Borneo. The decision was made due to excessive pollution, traffic congestion, exponential population growth, and the sinking of the megacity. The relocation will commence later this year at a cost of more than $32 billion.
The new capital will be named Nusantara, the Javanese name for the chosen archipelago, and will be the “symbol of identity” and a “new centre of economic gravity” for Indonesia. Many past presidents have attempted this move, yet it is President Widodo’s plan, initially launched in 2019 then delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, that has succeeded.
Some have criticised the design of the new city, while environmentalists in particular have expressed concerns over deforestation and an increase in pollution which could threaten the habitats of orangutans, bears, and monkeys as a result of the relocation.
There are specific environmental challenges facing major cities, particularly for those in coastal regions. If these issues are mishandled, it is predicted that most coastal countries will be underwater by 2050 affecting not just Indonesia, but the globe. The Indonesian capital relocation will be in close attention on how the Widodo administration will manage the economic and environmental cost of the process. However, the administration will need to prove the relocation yields Indonesia’s long-term benefits and resolve the challenges in the current city to calm the ongoing criticism.
Dredgers spotted at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base concerns the US
Satellite images have revealed two clamshell dredgers located off the coast of the Ream Naval Base. Currently the naval base is shallow enough only for small vessels to dock, but these images from 16 January show dredged sand being collected, enabling larger ships to dock.
It is presumed that this dredging operation is run by China, and is part of “significant infrastructural upgrades” at the base.
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) claimed that the development is part of a “secret agreement” between Cambodia and China from 2019. In the same year, the Wall Street Journal reported that the deal would enable Chinese military access to the Ream Naval Base in exchange for upgraded facilities. Following recent events, the US State Department urged for Cambodia to be transparent, clarifying China’s role and its intentions with the base. The Royal Cambodian Navy stated that the dredge is to deepen the water for Cambodian vessels, not for the Chinese warships.
The quick reaction by the US reveals their concerns of China’s military expansion. If there is a secret military deal with China, Cambodia is veering from its neutrality pledge stated in its constitution. However, it is undeniable that Cambodia also needs to develop its own naval capability as its neighbors – Thailand and Vietnam – are equipped with advanced weaponry and technology that can threaten the security of Cambodia. Cambodia now sits precariously in the US’ spotlight and will need to be vigilant to navigate any tension between the US and China resulting from activities at the Ream Naval Base.
Malaysia aims to boost cultural diplomacy program from mid-2022
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has announced that Malaysia’s cultural diplomacy program would begin mid-2022. The program will cooperate with Malaysian embassies around the world to showcase Malaysian culture to foreign countries.
The Foreign Minister detailed that the plan would highlight small-scale projects, including Malaysian short films and documentaries which have recently received international attention and awards. The program will also create cultural attaché posts in foreign countries and revive Cherating tourism.
Cultural diplomacy is a type of public diplomacy in which states export and promote their culture to other countries in order to achieve foreign policy objectives. This can be labeled as a form of soft power where information, art, and other aspects of culture are mobilized to foster understanding and cooperation between nations.
Malaysia’s cultural diplomacy program has many aims. First, the rise of China’s cultural diplomacy in Malaysia could undermine local culture and cultural institutions or even weaken Malaysia’s distinct culture. Second, soft power is recognised as a more peaceful approach toward economic development and regional influence when compared to hard power. Third, following the success of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy, it could encourage Malaysia to undertake similar strategies to boost its image on the international stage to gain more economic and political opportunities.
Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen meets with Min Aung Hlaing via video conference
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met virtually with General Min Aung Hlaing on 26 January 2022 to urge the junta chief to abide by the five-point consensus that was agreed by all ASEAN member states last April.
The talk was held one day after the ASEAN chair confirmed his plan to invite the military leader to the upcoming ASEAN summit if Myanmar were to make progress on the consensus.
Prime Minister Hun Sen made four requests to the General during the call. First, he called for the implementation of the five-point consensus. Second, he requested the junta chief allow and facilitate the ASEAN special envoy’s first visit. Third, he asked the General to exercise “utmost restraint, cease violence and endeavour to achieve a ceasefire” in Myanmar. Fourth, Hun Sen asked the General to cooperate with the other ASEAN member states and external actors in delivering humanitarian assistance to the Burmese.
Min Aung Hlaing’s response to the proposal is still not known. Some reported that the meeting was a failure with other regional observers suggesting that it is not likely that the General will accept Hun Sen’s requests. Even so, the meeting still does serve two purposes. On one hand, it has helped Hun Sen to save face after his visit on 7 January. On the other hand, it continues the Burmese peace process.
Cambodia has sought different approaches as ASEAN chair to resolve Myanmar’s crisis. It remains unlikely, however, that Hun Sen’s proposals could convince Min Aung Hlaing to implement the five-point consensus. In the lack of progress, Myanmar will be represented by a “non-political representative” at ASEAN meetings. However, with immense international pressure on the junta, only time will tell whether Hun Sen’s “soft diplomacy” can restore normalcy in the near future.
Sovinda Po is a Research Assistant at the Griffith Asia Institute.
