Research Abstract

As the Indo-Pacific becomes the primary theater of 21st-century power competition, Indonesia faces the challenge of maintaining its “Free and Active” (Bebas Aktif) doctrine. This peer-reviewed research provides a critical legal analysis of Indonesia’s neutrality, examining how the nation leverages international law and maritime geography—specifically the Malacca Strait—to safeguard its sovereignty while navigating the friction between the United States and China.

Key Research Insights

  • The ‘Bebas Aktif’ Framework: Re-evaluating Indonesia’s traditional foreign policy through the lens of modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
  • Maritime Chokepoints: Strategic legal control of the Malacca Strait as a tool for regional stability and diplomatic leverage.
  • Legal Resilience: How Indonesia can avoid being “trapped” by superpower alliances by strengthening its domestic legal stance on non-alignment.

Publication Metadata

  • Journal: Renaissance of Jurnal Ius Humani (RJIH)
  • Volume/Issue: Vol. 5, No. 1 (May 2024)
  • Academic Affiliation: Universitas Pamulang
  • Keywords: Neutrality, US-China Rivalry, International Law, Indonesia.

Access Full Publication: Direct PDF Download (OJS)

Published Research by Joseph J. Kadiaman