Defense Minister Uses Defense Diplomacy To Save Indonesian Citizens In Myanmar

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin attempted to carry out defense diplomacy against Myanmar in order to save Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were detained there.

"So I have tried to connect with the Myanmar Minister of Defense through our Foreign Minister, because they hinted that there was a provision between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then to the Minister of Defense," Sjafrie said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 9.

Sjafrie also explained that defense diplomacy which was carried out also required a special method because the country being approached was experiencing a military coup.

Sjafrie did not explain in detail what kind of defense diplomacy would be used to approach Myanmar.

Although he has not been able to confirm the final results of the approach, Sjafrie ensures that his party will continue to try to rely on defense diplomacy to save Indonesian citizens in Myanmar.

Previously, an Indonesian citizen (WNI) who was arrested in Myanmar on charges of supporting the armed opposition movement in the country had been sentenced to seven years in prison, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu).

The Indonesian citizen with the initials AP is known to have been arrested by the Myanmar authorities on December 20, 2024 and charged with violating the Anti-Terrorism Law (UU), the Immigration Law, and the Law on Associations that violate the Law (Unlawful Associations Act).

"After going through the court process, AP was sentenced to seven years in prison," said Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha, Tuesday (1/7).

Judha said that AP, who is also a celebrity (celebrity on Instagram), is currently languishing in Insein Prison, Yangon,