President Prabowo's Brave Decision Brings Indonesia To Join BRICS

President of the Republic of Indonesia was elected, Prabowo Subianto when he met the President of the RRC, Xi Jinping in Beijing in April 2024. (Yao Dawei/AP Photo/Picture Alliance)

JAKARTA The decision taken by the Indonesian government to officially join the BRICS on Monday, January 6, 2025 is not without risk. Indonesia seems to challenge the economic dominance of the United States and the Western Block in the world, which has the potential to make them angry. However, President Prabowo Subianto is adamant, and dares to take risks by joining the organization.

The announcement was issued by Brazil, which is one of the founders of the bloc on June 16, 2009. Brazil is currently the Chair of BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (South Africa), five early member states.

"The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia to enter BRICS," the Brazilian government's official statement said on January 6, 2025.

With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has the same commitment as other member countries to reform global governance institutions, and make a positive contribution in deepening South-South cooperation," continued the Brazilian statement.

Four countries became BRICS initiators, namely Brazil, Russia, India, Chin. South Africa joined shortly after the declaration, which made this block called BRICS. In 2024 members of BRICS increased by four countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. In early 2025, Indonesia fulfilled the number of BRICS members to 10 countries.

The Indonesian government through a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rolliansyah Sumirat, said that joining BRICS has a very strategic value in terms of geopoliticals.

"We have repeatedly emphasized that BRICS is an important platform for Indonesia to strengthen South-South cooperation, and ensure that the voices and aspirations of South countries are well represented in the global decision-making process," Rolliansyah told Deutsche Welle.

"We are committed to contributing to the agenda discussed by BRICS, including efforts to increase economic resilience, technology cooperation, and public health," Rolliansyah continued.

The agenda for accepting Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS in August 2023. However, at that time President Joko Widodo rejected the agenda. He reasoned that Indonesia was still considering the pros and cons that would arise, so it was not in a hurry to decide to join.

However, Prabowo as Jokowi's successor dared to make different decisions, even though it was risky. Jokowi's transfer of power to Prabowo was more than just a change of government. Indonesia seems to be the locomotive of change in the Southeast Asian region, and affirms its position as the largest in the region.

As the global order led by the West is seen as starting to become politically divided, weakened by the economic turmoil caused by the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, Indonesia became the motors of Southern countries to get closer to Beijing and Moscow.

This Indonesian decision has the potential to invite Washington's anger, but Prabowo does not budge. Currently, at least 30 countries have expressed their intention to join the BRICS, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The President of the United States elected, Donald Trump, on December 3, 2024 made a threatening statement. He said he would impose a 100 percent tariff without discounts for BRICS member countries, if they would actually use their own currency to replace the US dollar in world economic transactions.

BRICS does plan to reduce its dependence on the US dollar, which is used in nearly 80 percent of world trade transactions. Conditions that have been going on for decades have indeed given the United States too much profit. Not only from an economic point of view, but also geopolitics with the ability to suppress other countries through sanctions and restrictions on access to trade and capital.

The evolution of BRICS into a larger geopolitical block, was also driven by China's rise as a new world economic force. The Chinese government has often called for a multipolar world order, meaning it is reducing the dominance of the United States in the world's security and financial infrastructure.

BRICS members also often discuss global dollar dominance, and the need for alternative financial frameworks between countries. Diplomatically, BRICS is important for China and Russia as a symbol of the emergence of a multipolar world landscape.

At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia on October 22-24 2024, 38 countries plus UN envoys were present. This is proof that Russia under Vladimir Putin still has many friends, although it is being sanctioned by the West.

Regarding the decision made by Indonesia to join BRICS, China through a spokesman for the RRC Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun, praised. He mentioned that Indonesia is a 'major developing country and an important force in the South World'.

One important thing to note, BRICS is actually not a block that is openly anti-West as it was during the Cold War. Indonesia and India, for example, have excellent relations with Western countries, and are likely to remain neutral in responding to geopolitical competition between the United States and its competitors.

Indonesia itself clearly does not want to escape the good relations with the West that have been built for decades. Indonesia can be a balancing force in BRICS, while maintaining its relationship with the United States and the European Union.

If Indonesia is able to maintain its position as a non-block country and influence BRICS' decision through inclusive views, while still considering the role of the West, it will be an advantage in itself. Indonesia has free and active foreign political DNA. All countries are friends to Indonesia.

That's why President Prabowo bravely decided that Indonesia would officially join BRICS because he knew the risks. The purpose of joining BRICS for Indonesia is not to find enemies, but only to 'expand the playground' so that it does not dwell on the territory, friends, and that's all.