15-11-2023 (SAN FRANCISCO) Leaders from Indonesia and Malaysia are set to exert pressure on the United States during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, seeking more active American involvement in ending the violence in the Gaza Strip.
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia made this call directly to President Biden during their meeting on Monday (November 13) on the sidelines of the APEC summit. Before their talks, President Widodo, in a brief statement to the media, expressed the hope that the collaborative relationship between the US and Indonesia could contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.
Widodo stated, “Indonesia urges the United States to make more efforts to stop the violence in Gaza. For humanitarian reasons, a ceasefire is imperative.”
Earlier, US officials informed the media that Biden would encourage Widodo to “play a larger role, assist us in easing the Middle East situation,” without specifying the nature of this role.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri, also attending the 30th APEC leaders’ informal meeting, is expected to address the conflict in Gaza. Last Wednesday (November 8), amid domestic voices opposing the APEC summit and supporting Palestine, Ismail Sabri pledged to “discuss several developments and make every effort to fulfill responsibilities.”
Indonesia, boasting the world’s largest Muslim population, finds the Gaza conflict particularly sensitive due to the proximity of Israeli military activities in the Gaza Strip, endangering a hospital built by Indonesia in the region. Currently, three Indonesian volunteers remain within the hospital.
While Israel claimed last week that a tunnel housing Hamas militants was beneath the hospital, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied these allegations.
In an interview with The Straits Times, Liu Minli, a Senior Researcher at the Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, stated that Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has gained a “new sense of urgency and mission” in light of the Gaza conflict as President Widodo’s term nears its end. Besides refuting Israel’s claims, Indonesia has dispatched at least two shipments of aid to the Gaza Strip and explored the possibility of sending a military medical ship.
While President Biden stated that Gaza hospitals should be protected, and he would urge Indonesia to play a more significant role and assist the United States, it remains unclear what Washington or Jakarta authorities can do regarding the Netanyahu government and the Israeli Defense Forces.
Different Approaches by Indonesia and Malaysia
Ahmad Rizky Umar, a lecturer at the University of Queensland’s School of Political Science and International Studies, emphasized the varied responses of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei – the three Southeast Asian countries with significant Muslim populations.
“Indonesia emphasizes sending humanitarian aid to Gaza and applying diplomatic pressure through the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. This strategy has successfully advanced in international organizations. Malaysia assisted Thailand in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, while Brunei, being a smaller nation, advocates for a ceasefire but avoids political negotiations with Israel or other major powers.”
Wan Rohila Ganti, a lecturer at the Sultan Zainal Abidin University’s College of Law and International Relations in Malaysia, highlighted that domestic politics play a role in Malaysia’s stance. Parties expressing strong support for Palestine receive favorable reviews from Muslim voters, compelling the Ismail Sabri government to align with this sentiment. While this position has increased Malaysia’s standing in the Islamic world, it has also created tensions domestically, with non-Muslim communities reacting negatively to the heightened emotions surrounding humanitarian and injustice issues.
