DPR: Indonesia Wajib Menentang Penangkapan Presiden Maduro

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives TB Hasanuddin, responded to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. According to him, Indonesia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) must oppose all forms of arbitrary actions that violate the sovereignty of other countries, whatever the reason.

"The basis of Indonesia's attitude is very clear and firm, namely supporting the independence of every nation and rejecting violations of sovereignty, as mandated in the 1945 Constitution," said TB Hasanuddin in his statement to reporters, Monday, January 5.

In addition, TB Hasanuddin emphasized that Indonesia through its permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) must be proactive in encouraging the resolution of such unilateral actions through the international legal corridor and the official UN mechanism.

"Indonesia must also maintain the dignity of the UN as an international institution that is capable of resolving global conflicts in a civilized, just, and legal manner. This is the real manifestation of the free foreign policy that we have always upheld," said the Major General (Ret). TNI.

TB Hasanuddin also reminded that Venezuela is a country with the largest oil reserves in the world, so the arrest of President Maduro has the potential to cause geopolitical turmoil and fluctuations in the global oil market.

"The Indonesian government must be aware of the global economic impact, especially the potential for oil price spikes, and prepare mitigation scenarios to maintain the fiscal health of the state budget and the stability of the national economy," explained the PDIP legislator from the West Java District.

Furthermore, TB Hasanuddin assessed that this event also provided a very important strategic lesson for Indonesia. That it is so easy for foreign forces to arrest a president in his own capital, which certainly did not happen without a reason.

"This shows the collapse of public political support and the low readiness of defense, or even an indication of the indulgence of military elements in the country," he said.

TB Hasanuddin emphasized that the Indonesian Government must learn from the Venezuelan situation by strengthening public confidence, national solidarity, and the readiness of the country's defense.

"State sovereignty is not only guarded by military power, but also by strong political legitimacy in the eyes of its own people," concluded the member of the commission for foreign relations and defense.

As reported by Reuters on Sunday, January 4, the US attack and the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was the culmination of months of pressure by the administration of President Donald Trump against Venezuela, which drew criticism from several international leaders.

Maduro and his wife were arrested on Saturday, January 3 in the early hours. The arrest was preceded by an attack by US forces. The US called Maduro an illegitimate leader. After that, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to the US.

Trump has urged Maduro to hand over power and accused him of supporting drug cartels. Trump also accused Maduro and drug cartels of being responsible for thousands of US deaths related to the use of illegal drugs.