Jokowi Asserts Indonesia's Stance on Natural Commodity Exports

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi asserted Indonesia's position in terms of exports of natural resource commodities. He stated that Indonesia does not wish to be forced to export raw resources that can be processed domestically.

"The colonial era traumatized our nation. We were driven to do forced labor and forced to cultivate. At this moment, we don't want to be forced, including forced to export our resources," Jokowi said at an event in UGM, Sleman, Monday evening, December 19, 2022.

Meanwhile, the government is pursuing the target of downstream natural resources. After banning the export of nickel ore, the government said it would ban the export of other raw minerals. On several occasions, Jokowi mentioned the government's plan to stop bauxite and copper exports.

At the ASEAN-EU Summit, Jokowi also said that Indonesia had emphasized its position that in cooperation between countries, the government does not only want to move forward together but also equally. Thus, he said, no party has the right to impose its will and use its standards to be imposed on other parties.

On the other hand, according to Jokowi, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a barn of food and energy, especially green energy that is currently needed by the world. Through the downstream program for natural resources, said Jokowi, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a developed country with added value domestically.

Alleged Forced Export of Nickel Ore

Early last December, Jokowi revealed that there was an attempt of forced export of nickel ore after Indonesia stopped sending the commodity in raw form. The forced export emerged after the European Union sued Indonesia at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Back when Indonesia was under the Dutch East India Company (VOC), there exist forced labor, and there was also forced cultivation. In today's modern era, there are forced exports," Jokowi said at an event in the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday, December 2.

Indonesia lost the nickel ore export ban lawsuit in the final panel report from the WTO which came out on October 17, 2022. Indonesia's policy is considered to have violated Article XI.1 of the 1994 GATT and cannot be justified by Article XI.2 (a) XX (d) of the 1994 GATT. However, Indonesia will submit an appeal.

Jokowi emphasized that nickel ore, which is banned to be exported, is one of the country's natural wealth. Because of that, he questioned the reasons behind the lawsuit by other countries against the authority of the Indonesian government over its own natural wealth. "Forced export. We're forced to export. That's our natural resource," he said.

Antara | Translator: Intern / Imaji Lasahido

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