ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), TB Hasanuddin, has issued a strong warning regarding the newly announced Indonesia–Australia security agreement unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The senior legislator stressed that the cooperation must remain consultative in nature, not a military alliance, and must not contradict Indonesia’s longstanding independent and active foreign policy.
The warning came after PM Albanese revealed that both countries had signed a bilateral framework aimed at strengthening security consultation mechanisms, from threat identification to potential joint response measures.
However, Parliament has not yet received the official text of the agreement, preventing lawmakers from conducting a comprehensive review.
“Based on the Prime Minister’s statement, there are two crucial points that need close scrutiny,” TB Hasanuddin said in an official note quoted on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Indonesia–Australia Security Cooperation Is ‘Consultative’, Not an Alliance
Hasanuddin emphasized that the term “consultation” is a key indicator that the agreement is normative, rooted in goodwill, and does not create binding obligations that could compromise Indonesia’s sovereignty.
He underscored that Indonesia must maintain its freedom to independently determine its foreign policy stance without external pressure.
Risk of Misinterpretation as a Defense Pact
The most sensitive issue, he noted, is the clause indicating that Indonesia and Australia may consider joint steps in the event of threats.
Hasanuddin urged the government to publicly clarify the scope of the agreement to avoid speculation that Indonesia is moving toward forming a new military alliance with Australia.
“This clarification is essential to prevent any perception that Indonesia is edging toward a defense pact with Australia,” he asserted.
Parliament Demands Transparency
Hasanuddin reiterated that the government must submit the official document to DPR RI to ensure the agreement does not deviate from Indonesia’s independent and active foreign policy, which has long served as the foundation of the nation’s diplomacy. (AT Network)
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