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

JAKARTA – Academician of International Relations at Bakrie University Yuda Kurniawan reminded that the plan to provide access to foreign aircraft in Indonesian airspace must be carefully considered so as not to disrupt the principle of freedom of action foreign.

According to Yuda, every policy in the defense and security sector must be based on the interests of the nation, and not on the interests of foreigners.

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

He believes that the preparation of the surveillance system and the application of the amended law is optimal.

This includes the preparation of the main tools of the weapons system (alutsista), such as radars and interceptor aircraft, as well as integrated command and control systems.

Beyond technical aspects, Yuda also highlighted the need for a mature geopolitical calculus, particularly in the context of intensifying rivalry between the United States and China in the region. Without proper calculations, this policy is seen as risking placing Indonesia in a strategically vulnerable position.

“There must be 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 “Pacific Independence is Not an Exclusion Zone: Criticizing Foreign Military Access Policy from the Perspective of Air Sovereignty, National Defense Policy, and the Value of Organized Nationhood.” by the Indonesian Youth Congress in Jakarta.

Yuda insisted that every international agreement regarding political, security and economic issues must refer to Law No. 37 of 1999 on Foreign Relations. Furthermore, the process must have gone through the review and approval of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia.

As a recommendation, it encourages the government to strengthen air defense modernization and emphasize active defensive diplomacy. These measures are considered important to preserve sovereignty while ensuring that international cooperation continues without sacrificing national interests.

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

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