Expert: Indonesia Lacks Power Against Saudi in Execution Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - University of Indonesia’s foreign policy expert Hikmahanto Juwana doubts that Indonesia would pose sanctions to Saudi Arabia following the execution of Indonesian citizen Tuti Tursilawati.

Hikmahanto argues that Indonesia does not have the necessary bargaining power in an authoritative sense against Saudi Arabia.

“Power is at play here, if Indonesia has the upper hand then it is able to pressure Saudi Arabia to adhere to Indonesia’s requests,” he said today when Tempo contacted him.

Read also: Saudi Execution of Tuti Tursilawati Hurts Bilateral Relations

He further said that the main issue, in this case, is the ability to pose pressure, however, Indonesia’s position is made worse with the fact that Indonesia is dependent and does not have any major bargaining power against Saudi Arabia.

He gave an example of Indonesia’s annual Hajj pilgrimage program, which Hikmahanto deemed is Saudi Arabia’s bargaining element that can be used against Indonesia.

“Saudi Arabia may shift Indonesia’s Hajj quota to another country,” said Hikmahanto who said that such issue would face its own challenges if taken to the International Court of Justice since this route requires the approval of Saudi Arabia.

However, he said that the unnotified execution of Indonesian national Tuti Tursilawati on Monday, October 29, would face better chances if taken to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council.

FIKRI ARIGI