Ambassador Djumala Reveals The Privileges Of Indonesian Diplomats Thanks To Islamic Identity

Indonesian Ambassador to Austria concurrently Slovenia and the International Organization in Wina Darmansjah Djumala (Photo: Capture the Nusantara Foundation channel)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ambassador to Austria concurrently with Slovenia and the International Organization in Vienna Darmansjah Djumala said that Indonesian diplomats have a greater opportunity to be able to dialogue with many countries and related parties.

He said that this privilege was obtained thanks to Indonesia's status as the largest Muslim country in the world.

"Of course the title that is carried brings great bargaining power to each of our diplomats in building communication", he said on the Jihad vs Terror website, Saturday, April 3.

Djumala added that the title of the largest Muslim country in the world is not the only aspect that allows this country to have a dialogue with many parties.

"The most important thing is that our Islam is flexible and moderate. This is the key to why we can work together without significant obstacles", he said.

For example, he shared his experience of how Indonesia successfully established communication with the authorities in Myanmar regarding the Rohingya issue.

"The closest case in ASEAN, for example, when the Rohingya problem occurred, Myanmar only wanted to have a dialogue with us. They don't want to enter Malaysia or Turkey, we are the only ones who can because they are considered quite moderate, ”he said.

Also, Djumala explained the position of Indonesia which can establish good relations with the two most influential countries in the Middle East.

“Indonesia is the only country in the world that can have good relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. We can talk and sit together as well as them. This is proof of how strong Indonesia's bargaining power is in the eyes of the world”, he said.

For this reason, Djumala hopes that all parties must be able to maintain and maximize Indonesia's position to maintain the bargaining position that has been created at this time.

"Of course these ideals can be achieved on condition that we are also able to protect this country to avoid radicalism that can produce terror", he said.

Particularly for the domestic situation, the career diplomat regretted the acts of terror that took place at the Police Headquarters a few days ago.

According to him, this incident could be prevented if all parties were actively involved in making preventive approaches.

“Two elements can apply these preventive approaches, namely government and non-government. For the non-government, it can increase the role of religious leaders to spread true and positive values so that there are no misinterpretations in understanding religious teachings", he concluded.