INDONESIA IS NOT JUST ABOUT BALI

Bali is often described as the "Land of the Gods" and the "soul" of Indonesia. It is popular for its looming volcanoes, lush rice fields, beautiful art pieces, and amazing traditional dances and performances. But there is more to Indonesia than Bali, as there are other stunning wonders in this country inhabited by over 250 million citizens.

Ambassador Agus Widjojo, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, who is also accredited to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau, is echoing the government's campaign to promote the country's five "New Balis."

"Indonesia is not just about Bali," said Widjojo, adding that Indonesia is also proud of its five other "Balis," which feature equally breathtaking scenery and wonders. He quickly listed the five as: Toba, the largest lake in Southeast Asia; Borobudur Temple in Central Java, the largest temple in the world, dating back to 750 AD; Likupang, known for its underwater ecosystem; Mandalika in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which boasts beautiful beaches and sea tourism; and Labuan Bajo, which is famous for its Komodo Island, Pink Beach, and Manta Point.

In addition to promoting tourism, Widjojo is also focused on advancing Indonesia's blue, green, and digital economies."Indonesia has a thriving trade activity in the fisheries sector with the Philippines," said Widjojo.

According to him, the Consulate General in Davao City supports this sector by training Indonesian businesses on handling fish products, especially tuna, to align with Philippine standards.

Data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources showed that in 2021, the Philippines imported 4,668 metric tons of tuna from Indonesia. This is equivalent to 2.27 percent of the total 205,449 metric tons of tuna imported in 2021.

Widjojo is also committed to promoting the green economy in the Philippines through business matching, dialogue, and the promotion of Indonesian products and services in sectors related to green energy and sustainable infrastructure. Statistics from Bain & Company and Singapore state investor Temasek show that Indonesia and the Philippines contributed most of the $6.3 billion (P369.8 million) in green investments in the region over the last year. These figures can be attributed to the rise in investments in solar and wind projects as well as in renewables-powered data centers. The bigger challenge, however, remains in how progress is made toward the decarbonization targets of these countries.

The Indonesian Ambassador is hopeful that strengthening people-to-people links among businesspeople and other stakeholders will result in a win-win situation to boost the green economies of both Indonesia and the Philippines.

There is also positive potential for digital economic development on both sides, as cooperation is always encouraged, Widjojo said. And why not? Both the economies of Indonesia and the Philippines have benefited greatly from the digital economy.Indonesia has seen an increase in startups, numbering about 2,400, with at least 15 unicorns or decacorns, while the Philippines has more than 700 startups, and both countries have significantly contributed to the growth of the electronic commerce sector.As a former military official, Widjojo also cited that "bilateral defense cooperation is equally important in the bilateral relationship."

Revisions of the Border Patrol Agreement and Border Crossing Agreement, the settlement of continental shelf boundaries, and the strengthening of defense cooperation, including defense equipment, are part of the agenda of the two countries to move forward their diplomatic ties.

Partnership and collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia have continued to flourish. New areas of cooperation have been initiated in renewable energy, the creative economy, infrastructure development, and other industrial developments.Indonesia-Philippines Relations: 75th Anniversary.

"The Indonesia-Philippines diplomatic relations have been robust and smooth, especially as the two countries are celebrating their 75 years of diplomatic ties this year," said Widjojo. Preparations are underway to commemorate this important milestone with a trade fair and a series of cultural exchanges, including a diplomatic reception in November this year, he added.

Both countries are like "siblings" in the region, as both are archipelagos; Indonesia has 17,000 islands, while the Philippines has 7,641. The languages in the two countries are equally diverse, with Indonesia having about 700 languages while the Philippines has more than 180.

Indonesia and the Philippines are founding members of Asean, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Both are also active members of the East Asean Growth Triangle, along with Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area.

According to Widjojo, the most significant highlight of his first posting in the Philippines was the high-level exchanges between the two countries. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Indonesia on a state visit on September 5, 2022, while Indonesian President Joko Widodo was in the Philippines for a three-day visit from January 9 to 11 this year.

Like a true military commandant, he attributes the success of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila to his staff.

"I credit the 61 Indonesian Embassy staff – expats and local agents – in Manila for these productive visits made in 2022 and in 2024," said Widjojo. "We had teamwork, and everyone assisted to make sure that the visits were fruitful."

"I have to play my role effectively, as the achievement of the ambassador is also the achievement of the embassy," he added.

Widjojo can be considered a neophyte ambassador, having been appointed by the Indonesian President only in 2021. But diplomacy, and promoting and preserving the national interests of Indonesia, are no strangers to Widjojo. He served as a military official for 33 years. He was former Vice-Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian National Armed Forces Chief of Territorial Affairs. He was also former Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College (Sekolah Staf dan Komanda TNI); the TNI is a think tank responsible for restructuring the political and security doctrine of the country's armed forces.

He has been prepared for his role as ambassador, having worked as a governor in the Presidential Work Unit Management and Reform Programs from 2006 to 2009 and as a commissioner in the Indonesia-Timor Leste Truth and Friendship Commission from 2005 to 2008.

In his family circle, two are diplomats. His father, Col. Sutojo Siswomiharjo, was a military attaché in London from 1956 to 1989, while his father-in-law Mh Isnaeni was Ambassador to Romania from 1982 to 1985.

Widjojo also has triple master's degrees in the fields of public administration, national security, and military arts and science from George Washington University, the US National Defense University, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces Academy.

When asked about the local traits that struck Widjojo upon arriving in the country, he stated that the "genuine hospitality, generosity, and resilience of the Filipinos; the inclusive nature of the Philippine Government; the strong bond of families (especially of the Overseas Filipino Workers) and the innate respect for the elderly" are standout characteristics of Filipinos.As to what Filipinos should know about Indonesia, he said that Indonesians hold dear the country's five guiding principles, otherwise known as "Pancasila."

"Pancasila" is an ideology that unites all Indonesians into a united state. The principles include belief in the one and only God, a just and civilized humanity, a united Indonesia, a democracy guided by the inner wisdom of the deliberations among representatives, and social justice for all.

From ideology to coffee, Widjojo also boasts of Indonesian coffee, as the country is ranked as the fourth-largest producer of coffee worldwide. It is one of the most diverse coffee origins in the world, producing both Arabica and Robusta, which contribute five percent of the world's coffee exports.

Moreover, the strong connections between Indonesians and Filipinos, as shown by the migration of 7,000 Filipinos to Indonesia and the 3,000 Indonesians in the Philippines, are enduring testaments to the bilateral partnership.

With the many commonalities between Indonesia and the Philippines, Widjojo remains optimistic about the future of bilateral diplomatic ties. These and many more are the reasons why Widjojo, a military official turned ambassador, feels very much at home in the Philippines.

2024-06-30T16:08:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd