The discourse on foreign air access criticized, countries urged to respect active freedom policy

Indonesian International Relations Academy at Bakrie University, Yuda Kurniawan, has stressed the importance of carefully examining the plan to grant access to foreign aircraft in Indonesian airspace so as not to disrupt the principle of freedom of foreign action.

According to Yuda, every policy in the defense and security sector should be based on the interests of the nation, rather than those of foreign countries.

“The question is whether this plan truly aligns with the active freedom policy, or if it has the potential to draw Indonesia into the global rivalry,” he said during a public discussion in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 29.

He believes that the preparation of the surveillance system and law enforcement is optimal. This includes preparing key defense tools (alutsista), such as radars and interceptor aircraft, as well as integrated command and control systems.

Beyond technical aspects, Yuda also emphasized the need for mature geopolitical calculations, especially in the context of increasing rivalry between the United States and China in the region. Without proper calculations, this policy is considered to risk placing Indonesia in a strategically vulnerable position.

“There must be a clear risk mitigation, including the possibility of using Indonesian airspace for military or intelligence purposes against third countries,” he said.

The statement was made during a discussion titled “The Independence of the Pacific is Not an Exclusion Zone: Criticizing Foreign Military Access Policy in the Perspective of Air Sovereignty, National Defense Policy, and National Values” organized by the Indonesian Youth Congress in Jakarta.

Yuda insisted that every international agreement concerning political, security, and economic issues must refer to Law No. 37 of 1999 on foreign relations. Additionally, the process must be passed through the review and approval of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia.

As a recommendation, he encourages the government to strengthen the modernization of air defense and focus on active defensive diplomacy. These measures are considered important for preserving sovereignty while ensuring continued international cooperation without sacrificing national interests.

“Indonesia must remain open to international cooperation, but should not sacrifice sovereignty principles and national interests,” he declared.