Indonesia Joins BRICS, House Of Representatives Commission I: Membership Of The Republic Of Indonesia Strengthens Economic Diplomacy Positions

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI, Marwan Jafar responded positively to Indonesia's joining the BRICS economic block. According to Marwan, Indonesia's full membership is a bargaining value while strengthening Indonesia's position in the global diplomatic space, especially in the economic sector.

The entry of Indonesia as a full member of BRICS will increase Indonesia's bargaining position in the international diplomatic space. This position must be fully utilized to open the potential for collaboration in fairer and more beneficial trade between countries," said Marwan Jafar, Wednesday, January 8.

As is known, Indonesia officially joined the BRICS economic bloc as a full member on Tuesday, January 7. This was conveyed by the Brazilian government after the summit in Johannesburg in 2023.

The legislator, who sits on the international relations commission, said that Indonesia's joining in the BRICS economic bloc would expand the potential for trade cooperation with key developing economies such as Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa. In addition, there are 13 other countries that are partners of BRICS such as Bolivia, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Malaysia, Thailand, to Vietnam.

"With the support of Russia and China as world economic giants, the bargaining value of full member countries BRICS has many alternatives to open space for economic cooperation instead of depending on the direction and economic policies of European and American countries that have been established before," he said.

The PKB politician revealed that Indonesia's recognition of Indonesia's position in global economic diplomacy is relatively weak. Indonesia, said Marwan, often only becomes a market for various commodities from other countries such as energy, basic necessities, transportation products, to information technology.

We are often only placed as a supplier of cheap raw materials and markets for various processed products at a price of many times more expensive. Meanwhile, efforts to downstream our superior products are often confronted with various regulations and slanted issues by established countries," he said.

Therefore, Marwan hopes that Indonesia's existence in BRICS will not be trapped in the agenda of other members' political feuds. According to him, Indonesia must continue to adhere to the principle of being free to be active in building alliances related to political issues and global security defenses.

"Our presence in BRICS should be dedicated to smoothing Indonesia's economic agenda so that a more open and fair relationship is created. Thus, Indonesia is no longer just a supplier of raw materials and markets for various processed products from other countries," he concluded.