Back
About RSIS
Introduction
Building the Foundations
Welcome Message
Board of Governors
Staff Profiles
Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
Dean’s Office
Management
Distinguished Fellows
Faculty and Research
Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
Visiting Fellows
Adjunct Fellows
Administrative Staff
Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
RSIS Endowment Fund
Endowed Professorships
Career Opportunities
Getting to RSIS
Research
Research Centres
Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
Research Programmes
National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
Social Cohesion Research Programme (SCRP)
Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
Other Research
Future Issues and Technology Cluster
Research@RSIS
Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
Graduate Education
Graduate Programmes Office
Exchange Partners and Programmes
How to Apply
Financial Assistance
Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
RSIS Alumni
Outreach
Global Networks
About Global Networks
RSIS Alumni
International Programmes
About International Programmes
Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS)
International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
Executive Education
About Executive Education
SRP Executive Programme
Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
Public Education
About Public Education
Publications
RSIS Publications
Annual Reviews
Books
Bulletins and Newsletters
RSIS Commentary Series
Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
Commemorative / Event Reports
Future Issues
IDSS Papers
Interreligious Relations
Monographs
NTS Insight
Policy Reports
Working Papers
External Publications
Authored Books
Journal Articles
Edited Books
Chapters in Edited Books
Policy Reports
Working Papers
Op-Eds
Glossary of Abbreviations
Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
RSIS Publications for the Year
External Publications for the Year
Media
News Releases
Speeches
Video/Audio Channel
Events
Contact Us
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Think Tank and Graduate School Ponder The Improbable Since 1966
Nanyang Technological University Nanyang Technological University
  • About RSIS
      IntroductionBuilding the FoundationsWelcome MessageBoard of GovernorsHonours and Awards for RSIS Staff and StudentsRSIS Endowment FundEndowed ProfessorshipsCareer OpportunitiesGetting to RSIS
      Staff ProfilesExecutive Deputy Chairman’s OfficeDean’s OfficeManagementDistinguished FellowsFaculty and ResearchAssociate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research AnalystsVisiting FellowsAdjunct FellowsAdministrative Staff
  • Research
      Research CentresCentre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
      Research ProgrammesNational Security Studies Programme (NSSP)Social Cohesion Research Programme (SCRP)Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
      Other ResearchFuture Issues and Technology ClusterResearch@RSISScience and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
      Graduate Programmes OfficeExchange Partners and ProgrammesHow to ApplyFinancial AssistanceMeet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other eventsRSIS Alumni
  • Outreach
      Global NetworksAbout Global NetworksRSIS Alumni
      International ProgrammesAbout International ProgrammesAsia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS)International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
      Executive EducationAbout Executive EducationSRP Executive ProgrammeTerrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
      Public EducationAbout Public Education
  • Publications
      RSIS PublicationsAnnual ReviewsBooksBulletins and NewslettersRSIS Commentary SeriesCounter Terrorist Trends and AnalysesCommemorative / Event ReportsFuture IssuesIDSS PapersInterreligious RelationsMonographsNTS InsightPolicy ReportsWorking Papers
      External PublicationsAuthored BooksJournal ArticlesEdited BooksChapters in Edited BooksPolicy ReportsWorking PapersOp-Eds
      Glossary of AbbreviationsPolicy-relevant Articles Given RSIS AwardRSIS Publications for the YearExternal Publications for the Year
  • Media
      News ReleasesSpeechesVideo/Audio Channel
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Connect with Us

      rsis.ntu
      rsis_ntu
      rsisntu
      rsisvideocast
      school/rsis-ntu
      rsis.sg
      rsissg
      RSIS
      RSS
      Subscribe to RSIS Publications
      Subscribe to RSIS Events

      Getting to RSIS

      Nanyang Technological University
      Block S4, Level B3,
      50 Nanyang Avenue,
      Singapore 639798

      Click here for direction to RSIS
Connect
Search
  • RSIS
  • Publication
  • RSIS Publications
  • CO16031 | ASEAN Economic Community: Has Indonesia Done Its Homework?
  • Annual Reviews
  • Books
  • Bulletins and Newsletters
  • RSIS Commentary Series
  • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
  • Commemorative / Event Reports
  • Future Issues
  • IDSS Papers
  • Interreligious Relations
  • Monographs
  • NTS Insight
  • Policy Reports
  • Working Papers

CO16031 | ASEAN Economic Community: Has Indonesia Done Its Homework?
Santi H. Paramitha

10 February 2016

download pdf

Synopsis

ASEAN has entered a new era with the commencement of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). While Indonesian officials regard the AEC with optimism, there are concerns whether Indonesia can meet its obligations under the AEC.

Commentary

FOLLOWING THE launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), now in full swing, the debate whether it  will benefit Indonesia, since the concept was promoted by the 2003 Bali Concord II, has not been conclusive. While some champion the AEC as a groundbreaking avenue for economic expansion, others are sceptical about Indonesia’s ability to compete in the new milieu.

Opening the AEC Centre in Jakarta, the Minister of Trade, Thomas Lembong, described AEC as an innovation in which its risks should be taken in good faith for Indonesia’s greater good. The minister’s statement indicates the government’s desire to present an optimistic picture of the AEC. However doubts still linger over Indonesia’s ability to get its house in order to fully benefit from the AEC.

A Problem-Free Infrastructure Development?

Noting that protectionist measures are clearly off the table, Indonesia seems to view infrastructure development as the only avenue for increasing its competitiveness. This was no different from the era of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) supports a similar vision of development under the Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) doctrine.

In accordance with the GMF doctrine, a big portion of Indonesia’s state budget (APBN) has been apportioned for infrastructure development. Major development projects have been set in motion to upgrade and develop new roads, airports, harbours, as well as building the critical supporting infrastructure such as power plants within a slated period of 5 years (2014 – 2019).

If the implementation goes as planned, the projects are expected to decrease distribution and logistical costs, which currently hinder the competitiveness of Indonesian products in domestic and international markets. In conjunction with President Jokowi’s agenda of transforming Indonesia into a manufacturing-based economy, improving the quality of infrastructure thus contributes to industrial growth. However, delays and budgetary constraints hinders the government’s effort at making progress.

In the first year of President Jokowi’s presidency, the Minister of Transportation, Ignasius Jonan, adopted a stringent approach by applying sanctions on developmental assignments that exceeded reasonable deadlines. However, as evident in numerous development projects still plagued with delays caused by logistic distribution, contract-related issues and failures to meet safety standards, such punitive measures seemed insufficient.

The poor realisation of governmental targets took a toll on Yudhoyono’s Master Plan in 2011. Hence other viable solutions in speeding up delays should be the primary consideration of the current government.

Other Challenges

Budgetary constraints are another challenge that impedes rapid development rate. The necessary expenditure for the current development programme is IDR 5.52 trillion (USD $442 billion) in which half of it will be covered by the draft national budget (APBN), draft regional budgets (APBD), and state-owned enterprises (BUMN). As for the other half, the government has resolved to attract foreign investors.

Without tangible actions, President Jokowi’s investment approach merely through the use of exhortations in international forums is not sufficient. The “One Door Investment Policy” and the recent “Three Hours Investment Programme” by the Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) therefore play an important role in attracting investors whilst preventing the infrastructure development initiative from being handicapped.

Indeed, opportunities enabled by the AEC whereby one can benefit from investments within the ASEAN region should help to alleviate shortfalls in government spending on infrastructure development.

Unaddressed Domestic Issues

While the current government has been paying more attention to infrastructure development, several fundamental domestic issues have not been well addressed.

The first issue is the lack of information. Despite having the luxury of eight years to socialise the benefits of the AEC, the lack of understanding within Indonesian society about what constitutes the AEC remains large. Veritably, only the upper-middle class has some awareness of what the AEC portends, while the less privileged segments of society more vulnerable to the negative implications of an open market, languish in ignorance. Closing this gap by providing sufficient information supported by a clear economic strategy is required to protect the latter segments from losing out.

Secondly, Indonesia has the lowest borrowing rates in the region due to high interest rates. A 10% interest rate levied by the government-sponsored Micro Credit Programme (KUR) deters Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from borrowing capital for business expansion. This interest rate surpasses the rates of its major competitors in ASEAN, like Thailand (6.5%), Philippines (5.5%), and Malaysia (4.5%). SMEs contribute at least 59% of Indonesia’s GDP; thus failure to adjust banking policies to curtail the spiralling interest rates will pose difficulties for domestic producers in the AEC’s more competitive environment. Although Vice President Jusuf Kalla has recently pointed to the need for a lower interest rate to support the national economy, this will take time to realise.

Thirdly, accreditation problems amongst Indonesian workers are increasingly becoming an issue. According to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), there are eight sectors that will be opened as the AEC commences. While the nursing sector had been one of Indonesia’s strengths in terms of proper accreditation, other sectors remained very much unaccredited and unsupervised. The absence of proper mechanisms for accreditation in sectors such as architecture, medical, and engineering may obstruct the progress of skilled Indonesian labour outflow. A proper accreditation mechanism is paramount in facilitating the Indonesian workers benefiting from the AEC.

Way Forward

The AEC will only mature with greater integration and development in the region. There are other challenges worth noting that will add to Indonesia’s predicament, significantly adding to an already long laundry list.

Although there is greater emphasis on the current infrastructure development in Indonesia, relying solely on it will not guarantee sustainable development outcomes that Indonesia will require so as to ensure its competitiveness.

Safeguarding the progress of the current infrastructure development projects and resolving some unaddressed domestic issues are critical. In addition, maintaining political stability, sustaining the political will to undertake reforms, and formulating effective collaborations among policymakers will be crucial for Indonesia in the near future if it aspires to enjoy the full benefits of the AEC.

About the Author

Santi H. Paramitha is a Research Associate at the Indonesia Programme of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

Categories: RSIS Commentary Series / International Politics and Security / Country and Region Studies / Southeast Asia and ASEAN / East Asia and Asia Pacific

Synopsis

ASEAN has entered a new era with the commencement of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). While Indonesian officials regard the AEC with optimism, there are concerns whether Indonesia can meet its obligations under the AEC.

Commentary

FOLLOWING THE launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), now in full swing, the debate whether it  will benefit Indonesia, since the concept was promoted by the 2003 Bali Concord II, has not been conclusive. While some champion the AEC as a groundbreaking avenue for economic expansion, others are sceptical about Indonesia’s ability to compete in the new milieu.

Opening the AEC Centre in Jakarta, the Minister of Trade, Thomas Lembong, described AEC as an innovation in which its risks should be taken in good faith for Indonesia’s greater good. The minister’s statement indicates the government’s desire to present an optimistic picture of the AEC. However doubts still linger over Indonesia’s ability to get its house in order to fully benefit from the AEC.

A Problem-Free Infrastructure Development?

Noting that protectionist measures are clearly off the table, Indonesia seems to view infrastructure development as the only avenue for increasing its competitiveness. This was no different from the era of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) supports a similar vision of development under the Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) doctrine.

In accordance with the GMF doctrine, a big portion of Indonesia’s state budget (APBN) has been apportioned for infrastructure development. Major development projects have been set in motion to upgrade and develop new roads, airports, harbours, as well as building the critical supporting infrastructure such as power plants within a slated period of 5 years (2014 – 2019).

If the implementation goes as planned, the projects are expected to decrease distribution and logistical costs, which currently hinder the competitiveness of Indonesian products in domestic and international markets. In conjunction with President Jokowi’s agenda of transforming Indonesia into a manufacturing-based economy, improving the quality of infrastructure thus contributes to industrial growth. However, delays and budgetary constraints hinders the government’s effort at making progress.

In the first year of President Jokowi’s presidency, the Minister of Transportation, Ignasius Jonan, adopted a stringent approach by applying sanctions on developmental assignments that exceeded reasonable deadlines. However, as evident in numerous development projects still plagued with delays caused by logistic distribution, contract-related issues and failures to meet safety standards, such punitive measures seemed insufficient.

The poor realisation of governmental targets took a toll on Yudhoyono’s Master Plan in 2011. Hence other viable solutions in speeding up delays should be the primary consideration of the current government.

Other Challenges

Budgetary constraints are another challenge that impedes rapid development rate. The necessary expenditure for the current development programme is IDR 5.52 trillion (USD $442 billion) in which half of it will be covered by the draft national budget (APBN), draft regional budgets (APBD), and state-owned enterprises (BUMN). As for the other half, the government has resolved to attract foreign investors.

Without tangible actions, President Jokowi’s investment approach merely through the use of exhortations in international forums is not sufficient. The “One Door Investment Policy” and the recent “Three Hours Investment Programme” by the Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) therefore play an important role in attracting investors whilst preventing the infrastructure development initiative from being handicapped.

Indeed, opportunities enabled by the AEC whereby one can benefit from investments within the ASEAN region should help to alleviate shortfalls in government spending on infrastructure development.

Unaddressed Domestic Issues

While the current government has been paying more attention to infrastructure development, several fundamental domestic issues have not been well addressed.

The first issue is the lack of information. Despite having the luxury of eight years to socialise the benefits of the AEC, the lack of understanding within Indonesian society about what constitutes the AEC remains large. Veritably, only the upper-middle class has some awareness of what the AEC portends, while the less privileged segments of society more vulnerable to the negative implications of an open market, languish in ignorance. Closing this gap by providing sufficient information supported by a clear economic strategy is required to protect the latter segments from losing out.

Secondly, Indonesia has the lowest borrowing rates in the region due to high interest rates. A 10% interest rate levied by the government-sponsored Micro Credit Programme (KUR) deters Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from borrowing capital for business expansion. This interest rate surpasses the rates of its major competitors in ASEAN, like Thailand (6.5%), Philippines (5.5%), and Malaysia (4.5%). SMEs contribute at least 59% of Indonesia’s GDP; thus failure to adjust banking policies to curtail the spiralling interest rates will pose difficulties for domestic producers in the AEC’s more competitive environment. Although Vice President Jusuf Kalla has recently pointed to the need for a lower interest rate to support the national economy, this will take time to realise.

Thirdly, accreditation problems amongst Indonesian workers are increasingly becoming an issue. According to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), there are eight sectors that will be opened as the AEC commences. While the nursing sector had been one of Indonesia’s strengths in terms of proper accreditation, other sectors remained very much unaccredited and unsupervised. The absence of proper mechanisms for accreditation in sectors such as architecture, medical, and engineering may obstruct the progress of skilled Indonesian labour outflow. A proper accreditation mechanism is paramount in facilitating the Indonesian workers benefiting from the AEC.

Way Forward

The AEC will only mature with greater integration and development in the region. There are other challenges worth noting that will add to Indonesia’s predicament, significantly adding to an already long laundry list.

Although there is greater emphasis on the current infrastructure development in Indonesia, relying solely on it will not guarantee sustainable development outcomes that Indonesia will require so as to ensure its competitiveness.

Safeguarding the progress of the current infrastructure development projects and resolving some unaddressed domestic issues are critical. In addition, maintaining political stability, sustaining the political will to undertake reforms, and formulating effective collaborations among policymakers will be crucial for Indonesia in the near future if it aspires to enjoy the full benefits of the AEC.

About the Author

Santi H. Paramitha is a Research Associate at the Indonesia Programme of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

Categories: RSIS Commentary Series / International Politics and Security / Country and Region Studies

Popular Links

About RSISResearch ProgrammesGraduate EducationPublicationsEventsAdmissionsCareersVideo/Audio ChannelRSIS Intranet

Connect with Us

rsis.ntu
rsis_ntu
rsisntu
rsisvideocast
school/rsis-ntu
rsis.sg
rsissg
RSIS
RSS
Subscribe to RSIS Publications
Subscribe to RSIS Events

Getting to RSIS

Nanyang Technological University
Block S4, Level B3,
50 Nanyang Avenue,
Singapore 639798

Click here for direction to RSIS

Get in Touch

    Copyright © S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. All rights reserved.
    Privacy Statement / Terms of Use
    Help us improve

      Rate your experience with this website
      123456
      Not satisfiedVery satisfied
      What did you like?
      0/255 characters
      What can be improved?
      0/255 characters
      Your email
      Please enter a valid email.
      Thank you for your feedback.
      This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By continuing, you are agreeing to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy. Learn more
      OK
      Latest Book
      more info