Indonesia’s Economic Sovereignty at Risk Amid Foreign Intervention
- Istimewa
Jakarta, VIVA – The threat of foreign intervention in Indonesia’s economic sovereignty is drawing growing attention from experts and policymakers. Public figures warn that strategic industries, particularly palm oil and tobacco, are being targeted through narrative warfare and policy infiltration.
Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan explained that modern threats to sovereignty now manifest through Narrative and Legal Warfare (NLW). “The goal of these two forms of warfare is clear: to influence public opinion, manipulate perceptions, create polarization, and ultimately achieve strategic objectives that harm national interests,” he said.
Speaking at a public dialogue on September 24, 2025, Donny emphasized the vulnerability of the plantation sector. He stressed that commodities such as palm oil, rubber, cocoa, coffee, sugarcane, and tobacco are vital for state revenue and employment for millions.
Professor Satya Arinanto of the University of Indonesia highlighted the controversial role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). “I once viewed NGOs as pillars of democracy. But the kind of NGOs I support are independent ones,” he asserted.
He lamented that many NGOs are not independent and instead driven by foreign funding and external agendas. According to him, such groups often undermine national interests under the guise of advocacy.
Professor Hikmahanto Juwana, also from the University of Indonesia, raised concerns about government institutions being infiltrated by foreign proxies. He pointed to the weakening of the tobacco industry through international agreements and campaigns urging Indonesia to adopt the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
“They use proxies. And who are the proxies? Our own ministries,” Hikmahanto stressed. He reminded the public that both the tobacco and palm oil sectors remain essential for jobs and contributions to the State Budget.
Dr. Dave Laksono, Deputy Chair of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, warned about narrative warfare via global communication channels. “Negative narratives are often created to divide. Media power and these narratives are used to attack opponents, both domestically and globally,” he explained.
