In the midst of nuclear power struggles and the race among nations to acquire weapons of mass destruction, Indonesia stands out as a unique and influential voice advocating for peace and disarmament. It has successfully balanced its rejection of nuclear weapons with its defense of the right of all countries to benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This stance has strengthened Indonesia’s position as a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through its steadfast opposition to nuclear weapons.
In this context, researcher Alda Anindia, in a study published by the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) in May 2024, explores Indonesia’s nuclear policy. The study reveals how Jakarta skillfully weaves its nuclear strategy, defying expectations and carving out a unique place for itself in a world fraught with nuclear dangers.
The study delves into the historical development of Indonesia’s stance on nuclear weapons and its efforts in nuclear disarmament, focusing on its role as a leading regional power in this field. The report traces Indonesia’s historical journey from independence to the present day, highlighting the major shifts in its nuclear policy.
The Evolution of Nuclear Policy:
Following its independence, Indonesia declared its principled opposition to nuclear weapons. President Sukarno, in 1958, during the “Meeting Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs,” affirmed the country’s rejection of the nuclear and conventional arms race. This position was further reinforced by the then Foreign Minister, Dr. Subandrio, who emphasized that Indonesia neither possessed nuclear weapons nor had any intention of acquiring them.
In the following years, Indonesia established the “Atomic Energy Institute” or “Lembaga Tenaga Atom” to conduct research and development in atomic energy. Additionally, Indonesia signed a five-year bilateral agreement with the United States in 1960 under the “Atoms for Peace” program. As part of this agreement, Washington provided nuclear assistance, including a small research reactor of 250 kilowatts, which successfully carried out its first nuclear operation on October 17, 1964.
The post-Sukarno era saw a significant shift in Indonesia’s nuclear policy. Successive governments focused on developing peaceful nuclear capabilities, which materialized in the establishment of the National Atomic Energy Agency and research reactors. However, this direction faced technical and economic challenges, in addition to the influence of global nuclear accidents on local public opinion.
On the international stage, Indonesia emerged as a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament, considering nuclear weapons a threat to international peace and security. This stance was reflected in its active participation in multilateral forums and its promotion of the exclusive use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The Indonesian House of Representatives’ ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in November 2023 is a recent reaffirmation of this commitment.
At the same time, Indonesia continued to develop its peaceful nuclear program. In 2023, it announced a partnership with the United States to build its first nuclear power plant by 2030, using advanced technologies and leveraging its domestic resources. This path reflects the country’s commitment to peaceful nuclear development amidst the complex interactions of technological ambitions with geopolitical, socio-economic, and environmental considerations.
Indonesia has oscillated between the ambition of acquiring nuclear weapons and its commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement. However, after 1967, the country took a decisive turn toward the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This new phase was marked by Indonesia’s increasing commitment to nuclear disarmament, as it signed numerous international and regional treaties related to this issue. Jakarta adopted a strong stance advocating for the complete eradication of nuclear weapons, relying on multilateral diplomacy and United Nations mechanisms. Indonesia leveraged its disarmament efforts as a means to enhance its standing on the international stage.
At the same time, Indonesia successfully maintained a delicate balance between developing its peaceful nuclear program and its commitment to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. Its efforts focused on building local technical and scientific capacities, while ensuring transparency and compliance with international disarmament standards. Diplomatically, Indonesia played an active role in international forums related to nuclear disarmament, contributing effectively to negotiations on key treaties, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and adapted to changing geopolitical challenges in the realm of nuclear security.
Indonesia continues its diligent efforts in the field of nuclear disarmament, assuming a leadership role both regionally and globally. During its chairmanship of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission, Jakarta worked hard to persuade major nuclear powers to sign the Protocol to the Treaty of Bangkok, emphasizing that the region’s security is tied to the absence of nuclear weapons. These efforts culminated in Indonesia’s ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in early 2024, a move officials described as the “DNA of Indonesia’s foreign policy.”
This strong stance may influence neighboring countries, whose positions range from support, as in Myanmar’s case, to hesitation, as seen in Singapore. Indonesia’s approach reflects a firm commitment to the eradication of nuclear weapons, positioning it as a regional and international leader in nuclear disarmament, potentially encouraging more countries to follow its lead in the future. While Australia and Papua New Guinea have yet to sign the treaty, Papua New Guinea has expressed interest in joining in the future and has supported UN resolutions backing the treaty. Australia initially opposed the treaty but recently shifted its position to abstain from voting. However, Australia’s security commitments with the United States, particularly under the new “AUKUS” agreement, make its accession to the treaty unlikely.
It can be said that the policies of these nations are heavily influenced by the geopolitical competition between the United States and China in the region. In this context, the report indicates that Indonesia has redefined its foreign policy amid these rising tensions, requiring a deep understanding of its strategy toward major powers to assess its stance on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
Adapting to International Rivalries:
The study examines how Indonesia’s position has adapted to its strategic interests—both regionally and globally—particularly how the country’s strong stance on disarmament aligns with the renewed competition between major powers in the Indo-Pacific region. Geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China significantly affects Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, which holds significant strategic importance due to its geographic location. However, Indonesia strives to maintain neutrality amid this competition.
Nevertheless, Indonesia faces increasing security challenges as both China and the United States bolster their military presence in the region. In response, Jakarta has taken strategic steps focused on both the economy and security. It has strengthened its economic ties with China while also enhancing its security cooperation with the United States, all in an effort to maintain balance and avoid entanglement in regional conflicts while safeguarding its national interests and security. Additionally, Indonesia has expressed concern over the AUKUS alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, announced in 2021, viewing it as potentially leading to a nuclear arms race and undermining non-proliferation efforts in the region.
The newly elected President, Prabowo Subianto, a former general during the Suharto era with close ties to the armed forces, has publicly supported the AUKUS alliance, stating that he would guide Indonesia in continuing to defend its maritime rights in Natuna while also maintaining good relations with both Washington and Beijing. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that Indonesia’s firm stance on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation will change, as the country has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.
Indonesia’s position on the AUKUS alliance reflects the diplomatic challenge it faces in reconciling its strategic interests with its regional obligations. Jakarta seeks to play a balancing role in the region, attempting to maintain good relations with major powers while emphasizing the importance of nuclear non-proliferation and the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. This stance highlights Indonesia’s significant role as a regional mediator and moderate force amid growing geopolitical tensions, with a focus on constructive diplomacy and dialogue to address regional security concerns.
In conclusion, the study finds that Indonesia’s stance on nuclear weapons has been shaped by a complex historical context, influenced by the dynamics of the Cold War and the Non-Aligned Movement. Since the end of the Sukarno era, Indonesia has abandoned its earlier nuclear ambitions, endorsing only the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as evidenced by its efforts to establish the country’s first nuclear power plant. At the same time, Indonesia plays a prominent role in supporting nuclear disarmament internationally, having actively participated in promoting regional and international agreements on banning nuclear weapons and preventing their proliferation. The country uses its diplomatic channels to reinforce its commitment and rally international support for this cause.
In recent times, changes on the international stage and developments in the Indo-Pacific region have increased Indonesia’s involvement in disarmament issues as it seeks to maintain a neutral stance amid the rivalry of major powers, especially with the growing U.S. and Chinese military presence in the region. Indonesia views this competition as potentially leading to a regional arms race, posing a threat to stability in the area. It presents itself as a model for other nations striving to achieve peace and security in a world surrounded by nuclear risks.
Source: Alda Anindea, Indonesia’s evolving nuclear policy: the trajectory of a disarmament champion, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), N°07, May 2024.
