Indonesia’s Diplomacy for Papua Issue in the Melanesian Spearhead Group: Challenges Remain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18196/jhi.v13i2.23042Keywords:
Indonesian Diplomacy, Indonesia, Melanesian Spearhead Group, Papua SecessionAbstract
Support from a number of South Pacific countries to groups that voice out the Papuan secession from Indonesia has long been disrupting the Indonesian government. Various policy measures aimed at responding to these continue to be taken, including through Indonesia’s participation as a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). This article analyzes the extent to which MSG is basically strategic for Indonesia, especially within the context of the Papuan secession issue, and how far Indonesia’s diplomacy through MSG has contributed to its main objective. Simultaneously utilizing an inter-governmental approach and strategic realism as a framework for analysis, it is argued here that while MSG has a politically strategic position prompting the Indonesian government to exploit similarities and differences with the Melanesian group of states, Jakarta’s diplomacy through MSG continues to face challenges in the future.
References
Abbot, K. W., & Snidal, D. (2015). Why states act through formal international organizations. In B. Frederking, & P. F. Diehl (Eds.), The politics of global governance: International organizations in an interdependent world (5th. ed., pp. 27-64). Boulder,, CO: Lynne Rienner.
Afifa, L. (. (2024, March 27). Indonesia Commits to Strengthening Concrete Cooperation with Melanesian Spearhead Group. Tempo.co. Retrieved July 2024, 2024, from https://en.tempo.co/read/1850312/indonesia-commits-to-strengthening-concrete-cooperation-with-melanesian-spearhead-group
Andhika, D. (2015, June 13). Babak baru di Pasifik Selatan. [New chapter in South Pacific]. Jakarta. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from www.mediaindonesia.com/news/read/5030/babak-baru-di-pasifik-selatan
Anthony, K. (2023, November 8). Rabuka and Marape to 'engage further' with Indonesia on West Papua as special envoys. Retrieved June 30, 2024, from https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/501931/rabuka-and-marape-to-engage-further-with-indonesia-on-west-papua-as-special-envoys
Asril, S. (2014, June 7). Ke Fiji, SBY jadi presiden pertama RI yang datangi negara di Pasifik Selatan [Heading to Fiji, SBY the first Indonesian president visiting South Pacific state]. Media Indonesia. Retrieved February 10, 2019, from kompas.com http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/06/17/0919252
Axelrod, R. (1984). The evolution of cooperation. New York: Basic Books.
Axelrod, R., & Keohane, R. O. (1985). Achieving cooperation under anarchy: strategies and institutions. World Politics, 38(1), 226-254.
Baho, A. (2014, June 19). Ketika SBY bawa Indonesia ke Pasifik [When SBY takes Indonesia to Pacific]. Jakarta. Retrieved October 10, 2016, from www.kompasiana.com/arki.papua/ketika-sby-bawa-indonesia-ke-pasifik_54f6ecffa3331126438b4795
Bairadavolu, M. R. (2008). Indian enterpreneur in Silicon Valley. The making of transnational techno-capitalist class. Amherst, NY: Gambria Press.
Budiarjo, C., & Liong, L. S. (1988). West Papua: the obliteration of a people (3rd ed.). Surrey, UK: Tapol.
Carnadi, B. (2015, July 23). A noble cause in Melanesian Spearhead Group. Jakarta. Retrieved October 10, 2016, from www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/23/a-noble-cause-melanesian-spearhead-group.html
Carroll, W. K. (2010). The making of a transnational capitalist class. Corporate power in the twenty-first century. London & New York: Zed Books.
Carter, G., & Firth, S. (2015). The mood in Melanesia after the regional assistance mission to Solomon Islands. Asia & the pacific Policy Studies, 3(1), 16-25.
Dewi, S. (2016, July 15). ULMWP fails in becoming full member of Melanesian Spearhead Group. Retrieved October 10, 2016, from www.kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/ulmwp-fails-msg-full-membership.aspx
Dugis, V., Wardhani, B., & Susilo, B. (2001). Kebijakan R I di Pasifik: Upaya mencegah separatisme di Irian Jaya [Indonesian policy in the Pacific: Efforts to preventing separatism in Irian Jaya]. Surabaya: Researh Collaboration of Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs & Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Airlangga.
Elmslie, J. (2015). Indonesian diplomatic maneuvering in Melanesia: challenges and opportunities. In R. Azizian, & C. (. Cramer, Regionalism, security and cooperation in Oceania (pp. 96-109). Honolulu: Asia-Pacific center for security Studies.
Elmslie, J., & Webb-Gannon, C. (2014). MSG Headache, West Papuan heartache? Indonesia’s Melanesian foray. The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, 12(47/3), 1-23.
Fachir, A. M. (2015, June 25). Statement by H.E. A. M. Fachir Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia at the 20th Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders’ Summit Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Fardah. (2015, October 29). Melanesian Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity. Antara News. Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://en.antaranews.com/news/101211/melanesian-festival-celebrates-cultural-diversity
Fardah. (2016, April 8). Indonesia strengthens ties with Pacific ‘good friends’. Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/04/08/indonesia-strengthens-ties-with-its-pacific-good-friends/
Firdaus, E. (2015, June 25). Status Indonesia Meningkat dalam MSG ke 20 di Salomon. [Indonesia’s status increased at the 20th MSG Summit in Solomon]. (accessed F. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from www.tribunnews.com: www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2015/06/29/status-indonesia-meningkat-dalam-msg-ke-20-di-solomon,
Forum Secretariat. (2001). Thirty-second Pacific Islands Forum, Republic of Nauru, 16-18 August, 2001 : agreed record. Suva: ForSec. Retrieved January 13, 2023, from https://library.sprep.org/content/thirty-second-pacific-islands-forum-republic-nauru-16-18-august-2001-agreed-record
Ghemawat, P. (2007). Redefining global strategy: crossing borders in a world where differences still matter. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Hadipranowo, M. S. (1991). Upgrading of bilateral links between Indonesia, papua New Guinea and the South Pacific countries. Jurnal Luar Negeri, 18, 23-25.
Hayward-Jones, C. (2009, July 20). Is the MSG a threat to Pacific unity? Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/archive/msg-threat-pacific-unity
Kamm, H. (1981, February 15). The silent suffering of East Timor . New York City, New York, USA. Retrieved March 2, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/15/magazine/the-silent-suffering-of-east-timor.html
Karnst, M. P., & Mingst, K. A. (2004). International organizations; the politics and processes of global governance. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner.
KBRI Port Moresby. (2015, June 12). Kementerian Luar Negeri Indonesia Tindak Lanjuti Komitmen Bantuan untuk Negara-negara Pasifik Selatan [Indonesian MOFA follows up aid commitmens for South Pacific countries]. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from . http://portal.kemlu.go.id/Pages/News.aspx?IDP=7552&1=id.
Keane, J. (2002). Cosmocracy, a global system of governance or anarchy? New Economy, 9(2), 65-70.
Keane, J. (2003). Global Civil Society? New York: Cambridge University Press.
Keohane, R. O. (1982). The demand for international regimes. International Organization, 325-355.
Keohane, R. O. (1984). After hegemony: cooperation and discord in the world of poltiical economy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (1977). Power and interdependence; world politics in ytransition. Boston: Little & Brown Co.
Kompas. (2000, December 20). Wapres: PNG dukung integritas RI [Vice President: PNG supports Indonesian sovereignty]. Retrieved October 1, 2016, from www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0009/18/nasional/wapr06.htm
Kompas. (2001a, August 21). PIF dukung otonomi khusus Irja [PIF supports Irian Jaya's status of autonomy]. Kompas.
Kompas. (2001b, August 23). Indonesia tawarkan hubungan diplomatik engan negara-negara Pasifik Selatan [Indonesia offers diplomatic relations with South Pacific nations]. Kompas.
Lamy, S. L. (2001). Contemporary mainstream approaches: neo-realism and neo-liberalism. In J. S. Baylis, The globalization of world politics, an introduction to international relations (2nd ed., pp. 182-199). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lawson, S. (2016a). West Papua, Indonesia and the Melanesian Spearhead Group: competing logics in international and regional politics. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 70(5), 506-524.
Lawson, S. (2016b). Regionalism, sub-regionalism, and the politics of identity in Oceania. Pacific Review, 387-409.
Lipson, C. (1984). International cooperation in economic and security affairs. World Politics, 37(1), 1-23.
May, R. (2011). The Melanesian Spearhead Group: testing Pacific island solidarity (Policy Analysis 74). Canberra: Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Maxwell, J.A. & Reybold, L.E. (2015). "Qualitative Research", In; International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition) https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.10558-6
Mingst, K. A. (2003). Essentials of international relations (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia . (2015). Indonesia Contributes to Melanesian Spearhead Group. Retrieved August 1, 2016, from www.kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Indonesia-Contributes-to-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-through-Cooperation-in-Various-Fields.aspx
MSG Leaders Summit Communique. (2013). Retrieved August 1, 2016, from http://stuckinfijimud.blogspot.com/2013/06/x-post-pacnews-19th-msg-leaders-summit.html
Nasution, R. (2016, March 28). Memperkuat kehadiran Indonesia di Pasifik Selatan [Strengthening the presence of Inndonesia in the South Pacific]. . Retrieved August 1, 2018, from https://www.antaranews.com/berita/552083/memperkuat-kehadiran-indonesia-di-pasifik-selatan
Naupa, A., Ackman, M., & Tuimalealiifano. (2018, October 3). Boe Declaration: navigating an uncertain Pacific. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/boe-declaration-navigating-uncertain-pacific
Pacific Institute of Public Policy. (2008). MSG: trading on political capital and Melanesian solidarity. Port Vila: Pacific Institute of Public Policy.
Pramono, S. (2016, October 10). With Indonesia, MSG benefts from Asian Century. Retrieved January 13, 2021, from www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/10/28/with-indonesia-msg-benefits-from-asian-century.html.
Pramono, S. (2016, October 28). With Indonesia, MSG benefits from Asian Century. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/10/28/with-indonesia-msg-benefits-from-asian-century.html
Premdas, R. E. (1985). The Organisasi Papua Merdeka in Irian Jaya: continuity and change in Papua New Guinea's relations with Indonesia. Asian Survey, 25(10), 1055-1074.
Press Release 18th MSG Leaders Summit. (2011). Retrieved August 1, 2016., from http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/media-publications/media-release/412-18th-melanesian-spearhead-group-msg-leaders-summit-communique
Putri, W. D. (2015, October 22). Festival Melanesia, kenalkan keberagaman Indonesia [Melanesian Festival, introducing Indonesian diversity]. Retrieved August 17, 2017, from http://republika.co.id/berita/gaya-hidup/travelling/15/10/22/nwm9vi359-festival-melanesia-kenalkan-keberagaman-indonesia
Radio Australia. (2000, December 20). Wapres akan resmikan patung Bung Karno di PNG [Vice President will officiate Bung Karno Statue in PNG]. Radio Australia. Retrieved August 28, 2016, from www.radioaustralia.net.au/indonesian/2000-08-31/wapres-akan-resmikan-patung-bung-karno-di-png/795346
Saragih, B. B., & Aritonang, M. S. (2014, January 14). After observing Papua, MSG ministers to meet SBY. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved August 8, 2016, from https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01/14/after-observing-papua-msg-ministers-meet-sby.html
Sinar Harapan. (2015, January 13). Indonesia Kalah Diplomasi Soal Papua [Indonesia in a diplomatic loosing side on Papua issue]. Jakarta. Retrieved October 2, 2015, from http://sinarharapan.co/news/read/150629071/indonesia-kalah-diplomasi-soal-papua
Suryopranoto, A. (2014, January 25). Building relations with Pacific Island countries. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01/25/building-relations-with-pacific-island-countries.html
Tomaszewski, L. E., Zarestky, J. G. & Gonzales, E. (2020). Planning Qualitative Research: Design and Decision Making for New Researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920967174
Ulmwp.org. (2014). Salarana Declaration on West Papua Unity. Salarana. Retrieved August 8, 2016, from https://www.ulmwp.org: https://www.ulmwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Saralana-Declaration_with-Witnesses.pdf
Usman, A. (1994). Indonesia dan Pasifik selatan [Indonesian and the South Pacific]. In B. Bandoro (Ed.), Hubungan luar negeri Indonesia selama Order Baru [Indonesia's external relations during the New Order]. Jakarta: CSIS.
Waluyo, A. (2014, June 17). SBY kunjungi Fiji untuk jelaskan masalah Papua [SBY visits Fiji to explain Papua issue]. Retrieved August 1, 2016, from www.voaindonesia.com/a/sby-kunjungi-fiji-untuk-jelaskan-kondisi-papua/1938483.html
Wardhani, B. L. (2015). Quo Vadis Melanesian Spearhead Group? Global Strategis, 190-206.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jurnal Hubungan Internasional
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
License
This journal is based on the work at journal.umy.ac.id/index.php/jhi under license from Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. You are free to:
- Share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt – remix, transform, and build upon the material.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms, which include the following:
- Attribution. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- Non-Commercial. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- No additional restrictions. You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Copyright
The author should be aware that by submitting an article to this journal, the article's copyright will be fully transferred to Jurnal Hubungan Internasional. Authors are allowed to resend their manuscript to other journals or intentionally withdraw the manuscript only if both parties (Jurnal Hubungan Internasional and Authors) have agreed on the issue. Once the manuscript has been published, authors are allowed to use their published article under Jurnal Hubungan Internasional copyrights.
All authors are required to deliver the agreement of license transfer once they submit the manuscript to Jurnal Hubungan Internasional. By signing the agreement, the copyright is attributed to this journal to protect the intellectual material for the authors. Authors are allowed to share, copy and redistribute the material in any medium and in any circumstances to give appropriate credit and wide readership to the work.
