Impending Death Execution Affects RI-Brazil Bilateral Relations

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Brazilian President’s decision to expel the Indonesian ambassador to Brazil, Toto Riyanto during an event for credential meeting clearly showed the exacerbation of Indonesia- Brazil relationship post the execution of one Brazillian for drugs-related case in Indonesia. This is of course, carries with it, negative implication to the relationship between the two countries. This is quite unfortunate knowing that Vice President Jusuf Kalla just recently had the willingness to re-evaluate the bilateral relationship between the two in the sector of defence equipment/utilities.

The Vice Deputy of Commission I from the People’s Consultative Assembly, Tantowi Yahya said that he initially supported the bilateral relationship between the two in the field of defence. He even has successfully delivered his intention to the Minister of Defence, Ryamizard Ryacudu and the Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Moeldoko.

"Yes, we should stop that intention. We should not work with them knowing that Brazil has treated us impolitely, I don’t think it is fair to our nation if we tolerate the President’s ill- manner," Tantowi said at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/02/2015). 

In trying to replace Brazil as defence- utilities partner, Tantowi said Indonesia can start to develop a relatioship with other nations such as Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Poland, even China for the purpose of defence equipment.

Tantowi said Indonesia should not be dependent on Brazil because Indonesia has other nations that it could look up to or rely on for bilateral relationships. Indonesia is a strategic country and rich in raw materials, so losing one friend does not mean it loses all. 

‎The Brazillian man, Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira was executed on the 18 of January 2015. The 53 year old man was captured at the Soekarno- Hatta International Airport, Tangerang in 2003 as he was carrying 13,4 kg of cocaine which he hid inside the sporting equipment.

The execution of another Brazilian man will surely heighten and intensify the already existing conflict between the two countries. This also means that Indonesia should reconsider its bilateral partner for defence materials for the future. (Akp/Ein)