Malaysia and Indonesia must be seen to be stable and safe for Chinese investments. Now that they are partners of BRICS, this may tell a different story for China. Indonesia was a 'touch and go' case between China and the USA as it wanted to be neutral. Now, China has seen the direction that Indonesia is heading under Prabowo and may take the cue. Not that Widodo was a bad leader for China in the past.
China had experienced the anti-Chinese era in Indonesia in the past under the rule of the Western backed Suharto. China had also tasted Malaysia's anti-China stance in Forest City investments, rail linked projects that were criticized by Mahathir, (probably due to shortage of fragrant grease landing on his hands), which was music to the ears of the Malays. Playing the anti-China stance was also Mahathir's favorite calling card to put him in favor with the Malays. Now Anwar is trying to correct the perception by having a second look at Forest City's future direction.
The USA had done nothing for Malaysia as we know it, hoping to exert control using the IMF during the Asian financial crisis which Mahathir would not tolerate. The USA via the IMF had in fact done harm to Indonesia during the Asian financial crisis in the past, using its restrictions that caused banks and businesses to close, leading to job losses, as was disclosed by someone close to Indonesian affairs. But all that has never been talked about on MSM.
Anonymous
If Indonesia follows the correct policy, even after Prabowo, it will be an economic powerhouse. China can help in this direction, but the USA will place hurdles in its path, even trying to elicit a regime change if necessary to place a stooge to enable Indonesia to dictate the direction of ASEAN. Remember what happens with Confrontation when Malaysia was being formed? It was all sixes and sevens in Malaysia and Singapore.
ReplyDeleteIndonesia is an important strategic country within the ASEAN blog. Not just like any small country trying to wear big shoes but is in reality a big player with a big voice that could chart the direction of ASEAN.
How does the China collapsing mantra be reconciled with the USA's claim that China is taking over the world? How could a collapsing China be in a position to take over the world? Does not make any sense at all. Unless it is all a fertile invention or imagination in the minds of the war mongers in Washington.
ReplyDeleteThe USA will keep repeating the mantra and hope that in time people will believe.
DeleteHowever, the world is changing, and information is no longer a one-way channel that cannot be countered. The USA propaganda machine may continue to fool the USA voters, but the rest of the world are getting smarter and are now able to separate the wheat from the chaff. Otherwise, why are so many countries wanting to join BRICS despite all the threats from the USA.