TheIKNPost.com – The Indonesian Defense University (UNHAN), in collaboration with Indo-Pacific Strategic Intelligence (IPSI), held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the UNHAN Postgraduate Campus, Jakarta, on January 5 2024, with the theme “Vulnerabilities of the Indo Region -Pacific, Indonesia’s Readiness.”
This event was opened by remarks from the Chancellor of UNHAN, Lieutenant General TNI Jonni Mahroza, Ph.D., which was read by the Dean of the Faculty of Defense Strategy (FSP), Major General TNI Dr. Priyanto.
In his speech, the Chancellor of UNHAN appreciated this activity as the first step in institutional cooperation between UNHAN and IPSI.
TNI Lieutenant General Jonni Mahroza emphasized the importance of synergy with research institutions to formulate policy recommendations based on data and strategic analysis.
Therefore, UNHAN is committed to strengthening its collaboration with IPSI to realize its vision as a world-class university.
As Founder/Main Advisor of IPSI, Dr. Muhammad Hadianto, who was also the moderator in this FGD, said that IPSI was formed as a forum for gathering policy-oriented thoughts, with a focus on geostrategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region and efforts to increase national readiness, especially through modernizing defense industry governance.
The FGD presented three main speakers, namely Rear Admiral TNI Dr. Ir. Agus Adriyanto (Deputy Chancellor I UNHAN), Prof. AA Banyu Perwita (Professor of International Relations, UNHAN), and Aisha R. Kusumasomantri (IPSI Executive Management), who highlighted four key topics: the issue of Rohingya refugees, security in Papua, the situation in the South China Sea, and defense technology 5.0.
Regarding the issue of Rohingya refugees, the FGD emphasized Indonesia’s acceptance of Rohingya refugees, even though it is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
The discussion recommended a policy approach that strengthens coordination within Indonesia’s maritime security elements, especially the need for a Maritime Strategic Command (MSC) under coordination with related ministries, including the Ministry of Defense, with direct telecommunications and satellite access to all Indonesian Navy bases.
Regarding security in Papua, the FGD suggested that the Indonesian government needs to adopt measurable policies in the South Pacific region, including evaluating existing technical cooperation.
Domestically, socio-cultural based approaches, such as religious and traditional values, as well as capacity building through vocational education and special scholarships for Papuan youth studying abroad, are recommended.
In the context of the vulnerability of the South China Sea (LTS) region, panelists emphasized its status as a security red zone between the US and China. The FGD encouraged Indonesia to re-evaluate nuclear disaster mitigation strategies, including handling refugees due to nuclear radiation.
The discussion also highlighted the need to anticipate China’s intrusive tendencies by strengthening Indonesian military technology, emphasizing the Deftech 5.0 program.
The final topic discusses the development of defense technology in anticipation of unconventional war. The FGD reminded of the unstable conditions in the Indo-Pacific region and plans to move the capital to the archipelago, encouraging policy makers to evaluate national strategies.
Discussions called for rapid government adaptation, especially through technology, given Indonesia’s unbalanced military condition and the need for rapid and effective acquisition of the latest military technology.
In conclusion, FGD participants agreed that although the Indo-Pacific holds great economic potential, this region is very vulnerable to security and defense threats.
Therefore, Indonesia’s readiness needs to be increased, including through comprehensive defense modernization based on changes in the character of war, reformulation of defense and national security doctrine, strengthening human resource capacity, especially in the aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as increasing domestic capabilities to production of military equipment that is transparent, accountable and well-governed, with the support of strategic studies and fiscal incentives.
