Indonesian court ruled on Presidential and Vice-Presidential age limit eligibility
On 16 October 2023, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court issued a ruling against lowering the minimum age of presidential and vice-presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years old as the country prepares for the 2024 election.
This ruling was issued after the court had received seven judicial review requests calling for the age limit to be lowered, including from the Indonesian Solidary Party – known for its appeal to young voters. Presided by Chief Justice Anwar Usman, brother-in-law of President Widodo, the 7–2 decision by the nine-judge panel of the court rejected the argument as it wasn’t the court’s role for the matter. However, there is an exception that those who served or have been elected as regional leaders such as a lawmakers, governors, or majors will be able to run for the top job despite the age restrictions.
Many believe that this loophole would allow President Widodo’s eldest son – Gibran Rakabuming Raka – to run for vice president. Some viewed the issue as Widodo’s effort to build a political dynasty and retain influence after leaving office. However, Jokowi refuted criticism that he was trying to create a dynasty in the world’s third-largest democracy, insisting instead that the choice of leader belongs to the people. In a timely manner, the Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto who is one of the Presidential candidates had also announced that President Widodo’s son will be running as his vice-presidential candidate despite the fact that Gibran has not confirmed the nomination yet.
The court decision, along with Widodo’s son running as the vice-presidential candidate, will be under heavy criticism and will be weaponized to deter President Widodo’s popularity in Indonesia.
Southeast Asian leaders attended the 3rd Belt and Road Forum
China held its third Belt and Road Forum from 17 – 18 October 2023 in Beijing with over 130 country’s representatives attending the event. Interestingly, five Southeast Asian leaders – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam – attended the forum while the rest didn’t.
Beijing celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promising to extend access to China’s market for international firms and will pour nearly USD 100 billion for the development of other developing economies. To support the BRI, the China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China, the country’s two financial lenders, will each set up a financing window of USD 48 billion with the state-run Silk Road Fund adding nearly USD 10 billion to the pool. The forum also concluded with over USD 97 billion worth of cooperation projects signed. In a surprise, Russian President Vladimir Putin was also presented at the meeting, signalling China and Russia’s strong and unbreakable ties.
Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Manet, with other high-level officials, attended the meeting with many striking deals concluded. Cambodia and China have set 2024 as a year for increased people-to-people exchanges, to promote tourism and connectivity. PM Manet stressed Phnom Penh’s adherence to a friendly policy toward China, upholding the one-China policy, supporting China in safeguarding its core interests, and supporting China-led initiatives. Moreover, China ensured that the “Industrial Development Corridor” and “Fish and Rice Corridor” will be well constructed and China will push for the implementation of more projects to benefit the public. Both countries signed 8 important documents to further strengthen their bilateral relations.
In addition, Indonesian President Jokowi and Laos President Sisoulith were also presented at the 3rd BRI Forum. Having recently launched the first Southeast Asia high-speed rail, President Widodo of Indonesia held talks with President Xi Jinping lauding their cooperation as an important example for international cooperation. During his speech, President Widodo called for countries not to “politicize” infrastructure development under the Chinese-led BRI for the initiative to become stronger and more impactful.
China favourably responded by pledging to continue to enhance both countries’ support for long-term growth and modernization. Similar to Indonesia, the meeting between Laos’ President and President Xi also spelled a huge benefit for Vientiane. The two leaders inked a 2024 – 2028 action plan between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on building a community aiming to enrich the relations between the two countries.
Thailand and Vietnam also reaped advantages from this high-level meeting. Similar to Cambodia, Indonesia, and Laos, the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong signalled Beijing’s readiness to work with the two states to bolster China’s relations with Bangkok and Hanoi. In a surprise demeanour, Thailand and Vietnam also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for state visits despite the Russian leader currently being under an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both, Thai and Vietnamese leaders, also discussed ways to promote economic and trade cooperation on the side-line of the BRI Forum with Russia.
China’s BRI Forum was a success. However, one US senior official viewed that the BRI will be in big trouble due to the economic impact caused by COVID-19, the Russia – Ukraine war, and the current China economic slowdown. On the other hand, Southeast Asia’s participating countries, constitute some of the highest recipients of Beijing’s BRI investment in Southeast Asia. However, some believe the absence of Myanmar, the Philippines, and Malaysia during the forum has been attributed to various factors, including the ongoing civil conflict and international concern regarding the Myanmar junta, resurfacing diplomatic tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea, and potential dissatisfaction by Malaysia concerning Beijing’s actions in the same region.
Apart from that, the Russian President had accepted Bangkok and Hanoi’s state visit invitation while many viewed Thailand and Vietnam as choosing to maintain ties with Russia for the sake of economic and trade benefits. For some analyst, Thailand “is still heavily tourism-dependent, and while not as much so as it is on Chinese tourism, Russian attraction and investment in Thailand can’t be ignored.”
President Xi’s announcement of the USD 100 billion investment strengthens China’s image in the global south. However, the absence of some ASEAN members reveals differences. Thailand and Vietnam’s invitation to President Vladimir Putin will further underscore internal ASEAN disparities in the long run.
Sovinda Po is a Research Assistant at the Griffith Asia Institute.
