Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The pact between the United States, Britain and Australia or AUKUS has made countries in the Southeast Asia region, including Indonesia, surrounded by nuclear weapons from the north and south.
The reason is the existence of AUKUS provides support to America and Britain to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines. This allows the Australian navy to fight a number of countries that are considered ‘enemies’ in the Asia Pacific region such as China.
“This will give Australia the ability to deploy their submarines for a longer, quieter, more capable time, allowing us to maintain and increase deterrence across the Indo-Pacific,” a senior US administration official said. 25/9/2021)
“What we are seeing in the Indo-Pacific region is a set of circumstances to become more capable. This allows Australia to play at a much higher level, and to enhance America’s capabilities,” he explained.
This condition made Indonesia finally speak up and convey that it should promote dialogue in resolving differences peacefully.
“Indonesia is very concerned about the continued arms race and the projection of military power in the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on its Twitter account @Kemlu_RI.
“Indonesia encourages Australia and other relevant parties to continue to promote dialogue in resolving differences peacefully. In this regard, Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law including UNCLOS 1982 in maintaining peace and security in the region.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia sees AUKUS as being able to stimulate more aggressive actions from hostile countries. Especially in the South China Sea (LCS) area which is already experiencing tension at this time.
To note, AUKUS was formed amid the increasing influence and threat of China in the Asia Pacific region. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China itself is also known to have 350 nuclear weapons, the third most after the US and Russia.
The South China Sea became hot in several countries when China claimed 90% of the territory with the ‘nine dotted line’. This puts China at odds with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, including Indonesia in North Natuna.
The US then got into this issue on the grounds of ‘freedom of navigation’. The US is often wary of warships in a number of allied countries, such as the Philippines.
In addition, the country led by Joe Biden is also aggressively ‘wooing’ a number of countries to jointly dispel China. US Vice President, Kamala Harris last month visited Singapore and Vietnam for the same thing.
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