Jokowi set to push for closer ties with Australia

Jakarta: When he finally touches down in Australia for his first state visit to the neighbouring country, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo is expected to put aside recent tensions and make a far-reaching push for closer military and economic ties.

Joko, or Jokowi as he is popularly known, will spend just under two days in Australia, against the three days he was originally planning for a trip scheduled for last November.

That trip was cancelled due to protests at home over the Jakarta gubernatorial elections.

But there are signs his weekend trip will deliver significant results. On the eve of his visit, the first by an Indonesian leader in five years, Joko signalled plans to discuss holding joint naval patrols with Australia in the South China Sea.

He said he intended to discuss the patrols with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, suggesting they could potentially be held near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands, in waters that China has claimed. But he also said the patrols should be conducted only if they avoid raising tensions in the region.

“If there is no tension, I think it’s very important to have the patrols together,” he said.

The move marks a significant turnaround from recent tensions between the two nations.

Last month, Indonesia’s military suspended some training programmes in Australia over concerns about teaching materials found at an Australian base where Indonesian forces were training. The materials reportedly touched on sensitive subjects such as West Papuan independence.