Observer: Presidential Candidates Must Be Smart In Using Big Country Competition

Three candidates for Presidential Candidate (VOI)

JAKARTA - International relations observer at Padjadjaran University Widya Setiabudi Sumadinata said that presidential candidates (candidates) must be smart in utilizing the competition of big countries for the benefit of Indonesia.

"In fact, it must be smart to take advantage of the competition of big countries to be made in a direction that will benefit Indonesia, both economically and politically," said Widya when contacted from Jakarta, Tuesday, December 26.

In addition, he said that in the future the presidential candidates must be able to get out of pressure and be dicted from super power or superpower countries.

"To get this (out of pressure and take advantage of competition), RI must also have capabilities that can become an instrument of deterrence (prevention)," he said.

He explained that this capability can be seen through the strategies and policies that will be implemented by the presidential candidates.

"We have to see how the strategy and policy (policy) of the presidential candidate to make Indonesia more authoritative and respected in global forums. How to win trade competition? How not dictated in global forums such as the WTO (World Trade Organization), and others? How can it prevent conflicts from spreading in Southeast Asia and other areas? Finally, how is their visionary view of the Indo-Pacific?" he said.

He reminded the presidential candidates to have to understand the principles of foreign policy that are "actively Free".

"But more than that, the tactical implementation and strategy must be in accordance with current needs and contexts," he reminded.

Meanwhile, he also reminded that the third debate that will bring together the presidential candidate has a very important theme, namely defense, security, international relations and geopolitical relations.

"In the context of security and defense, conflict in the Middle East, and Eastern Europe will remain an important issue. And this is expected to spread to other regions including Southeast Asia, where there is also potential for instability in the LCS (South China Sea)," he said.

"Geopolitically, presidential candidates must have the right vision, effective, fast and precise response. Therefore, this theme is very important to be used as a means to find out which presidential candidate is the best, vision, knowledge, and diplomatic ability," said Widya.