Indonesia Deploys Defense Diplomacy to Free Citizen Jailed in Myanmar

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has initiated defense diplomacy with Myanmar to secure the release of an Indonesian national detained in the country.

The move comes after the citizen, identified only by the initials AP, was sentenced to seven years in prison for allegedly supporting an armed opposition group.

Speaking at the Parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday, Sjafrie revealed that he had coordinated with Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry to establish contact with Myanmar’s Defense Minister. “There are protocols to follow—first through the Foreign Ministry, then to the Defense Minister,” he explained. However, he did not disclose specific details of the diplomatic strategy.

The situation is complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing military coup, requiring careful and strategic engagement. Sjafrie emphasized that while the outcome remains uncertain, Indonesia remains committed to exhausting all diplomatic avenues to protect its citizens abroad.

AP, an Instagram influencer, was arrested on December 20, 2024, and charged under Myanmar’s Anti-Terrorism Law, Immigration Act, and Unlawful Associations Act. Following a trial, the Yangon court handed down a seven-year prison sentence, with AP currently held at Insein Prison.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has been actively monitoring the case. Judha Nugraha, Director of Citizen Protection at the ministry, confirmed the verdict on July 1 and assured that consular assistance was being provided. However, the legal complexities in Myanmar pose significant challenges.

Defense diplomacy, a lesser-known but crucial aspect of international relations, is being leveraged to navigate Myanmar’s sensitive political climate. Sjafrie’s approach highlights Indonesia’s broader strategy of using multi-track diplomacy to resolve crises involving its nationals overseas.