Indonesia`s foreign policy process in the post-new order era : case studies of Indonesia`s policy toward Singapore and Iran

Abstract

This study examines a conflict in Indonesia foreign policy decision-making process in the case of DCA and ET with Singapore and Iranian nuclear program. The conflict occurred following the constitutional amendments of UUD1945 and involved the executive and the legislature (DPR Commission I). The dissonance between the executive and DPR Commission I in foreign policy formulation in the case of DCA and ET and Iranian nuclear program indicated that the DPR Commission I, which has been empowered by the new constitution, has begun to exert its influence in Indonesia foreign policy process. This study used the modified model of the Advisory System Decision-Making designed by David Mitchell. The modified model analyzed the degree of centralization in foreign policy decision-making. The data of this study were primarily obtained from newspaper, unpublished government documents, interviews and literature pertaining to the development of Indonesia foreign policy. The interviews were meant to apply the Advisory System Decision-Making and to predict the degree of centralization in foreign policy process. There is an assumption that supposedly the disagreement between the executive and DPR Commission I should not appear in the foreign policy process following the constitutional amendment. Practically, the amendment has receded the power of executive in determining the outcome in foreign policy formulation and encouraged consultation with the DPR Commission I. The study concludes that centralization which was obviously high during the New Order era, has become much reduced during the foreign policy process in the case involving Singapore and Iran. The formulating process occurred among the executive staff. The DPR Commission I was only given rudimentary information regarding the upcoming signing of an agreement with Singapore and Indonesia’s stance towards Iran. The executive did not intend to hold regular meeting and consultation with DPR Commission I.