Abu Sayyaf and the militant threat

The militant group’s activities reveal holes in the implementation of Jakarta’s signature policy.

Indonesia’s ‘Global Maritime Fulcrum’: The Case of Abu Sayyaf

By Dedi Dinarto

Upon coming to power in 2014, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo proclaimed his country’s ambition to become a “global maritime fulcrum.” The doctrine envisions Indonesia as a maritime power that serves as a linkage point between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. That involves both an economic and security component.

The economic front is chugging along. Data released by the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BPKM) recorded a significant 19 percent increase in foreign direct investment from 2014 to 2015. However, the recent activities of Abu Sayyaf reveal the limits of the security leg of the global maritime fulcrum doctrine.

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Source: thediplomat.com