President Donald Trump’s recent executive order has incited public controversies in the USA as well as abroad.
Most of commentaries relate the policy with anti Islam sentiments, coming out of the fact that most countries banning to enter US soil are from Muslim majority states.
However the decision was soon followed by wide outcries since preceded by rumors and uncertainties that create panics. Among others relate to situations face by Indonesia’ students undergoing education in the US. Other concern in RI and global also triggered by worsening humanity as experienced amongst US citizens coming from the seven countries.
RI does not need to be over-reacted on American policy under Trump. At least there are some important considerations why Indonesia can remain vigilant on the domestic turmoil in Uncle Sam’s country without getting involved in their “political chaos”. From the standpoint of domestic politics, it is important that all parties consider carefully the steps to mobilize the masses in the country, especially with growing issues that potentially draw the attention of the masses widely today, namely simultaneous local elections.
Meanwhile, it can presumably be considered that many Indonesians in the US (as Malaysia too, that in fact the majority of citizens are Muslims) who will be affected if the US foreign relations-RI damaged by missteps in diplomacy.
On the other hand, if we follow the developments in the media seem that Trump policy will not be effective.
As a politician, who was elected by the presidential election to the distance where the result was very thin compared to his opponent Hillary Clinton from Democrat, Trump is only trying to fulfill a campaign promise but is not representative for the other Americans, including citizens of the world.
The other thing related to the origin of the context of the policy of “executive order” by President Trump is the combat against terrorism by Indonesia. Combating terrorism should start from within; in this stage our National Police so far has been work well. Thus Indonesia needs not be provoked by the extreme anti terror policy as the domestic interests of the Americans.
The lessons to be learned from American policy under President Trump is that President Joko Widodo could make the policy more decisively to counter radicalization in Indonesia. If America prohibits terrorists entered the country then they should also prevent them not get another way to hid in Southeast Asia, particularly to Indonesia. This may be evidence that we are aware on dynamics in other countries but not affected. RI is also not the US alliance, which bode well with our foreign policy principle of free and active. Alert may be, but should not be too reactive. (Adriana Elisabeth and Irine H Gayatri, Centre for Political Studies Indonesia Institute of Sciences)
