Crazy! Prabowo is contested by the US and China, this is the proof

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The United States (US) lifted a 20-year ban on Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. This is in the spotlight of the international media.

South China Morning Post for example. Quoting several media experts, this step was taken by the US to balance China’s growing military and economic influence in Southeast Asia’s largest country.

Moreover, Washington’s decision to host Prabowo comes amid increasing US-China tensions that are rocking Asia. China and the US are at odds on many issues, including the South China Sea (SCS).

Prabowo was a former commander of the elite Kopassus forces. He was denied a US visa in mid-2000 when he wanted to attend his son’s graduation in Boston.

He told Reuters in 2012 that he still couldn’t get a US visa. He is blamed for the riots that killed more than 1,000 people after the fall of former dictator Suharto in 1998.

The US has been hesitant to lift Prabowo’s ban after his appointment as defense minister nearly a year ago. Even though in that period China and Russia were aggressive in inviting Prabowo.

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe visited Indonesia as part of a four-country tour last month, for example. Prabowo was also invited to Russia to attend a military performance.

Afterwards, news emerged about the US Defense Minister calling Prabowo specifically. Finally, Prabowo will be invited to the US in mid-October.

Quoting an observer from the National War College in Washington, Zachary Abuza considered Prabowo’s victory. “It is clear that the US has waived sanctions for the sake of bilateral relations,” he said.

Meanwhile researchers at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University said balancing China’s influence was important to the US. “To make sure Indonesia does not go too far to the Chinese side,” said Alex Arifianto, still quoted by the same media.

“China has significantly increased its military and economic investment – particularly infrastructure and mining – in Indonesia since taking office [Presiden Joko Widodo] took office in 2014, “he explained again.

Previously, as reported by US media The Politicio, the US has decided to grant Prabowo a visa as a condition of entering Uncle Sam’s country. This was also confirmed by Prabowo’s spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.

This is related to the Pentagon’s invitation from US Defense Minister Mark Esper from 15 to 19 October. “This invitation is to continue detailed discussions related to bilateral cooperation in the defense sector,” he said in the received press CNBC Indonesia.

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(Head / head)

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