Joko Widodo warns: ‘identity politics a threat to democracy’

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has warned of the dangers of succumbing to ‘identity politics’.

Scott Morrison and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has warned of the dangers of succumbing to narrow “identity politics”, telling Australian MPs the two countries must work together­ to promote tolerance and become “anchors” for econo­mic growth across the region.

In a historic address to both houses of parliament, Mr Joko ­described Australia as Indonesia’s “closest friend”, urging closer ties between the nations’ young ­people, and calling for a joint effort to tackle climate change.

Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Joko to the House of Representatives as “a dear, dear friend”, after pledging to streamline entry for Indonesian travellers and boost their access to working holiday visas.

The Prime Minister also revealed Monash University would set up a new campus in Indonesia, the first foreign university to do so, while the two nations would also establish a new energy dialogue to share expertise on the “fuel ­sources of the future”.

Mr Joko, in just the second ­address to the Australian parliament by an Indonesian leader, said the two countries must strengthen their partnership to help shape the region’s future.

He said despite cultural differences, Indonesia and Australia shared the same values, including support for democracy, tolerance for other ethnic groups and respec­t for human rights.

The moderate Muslim, who last year retained power in the face of a concerted campaign by religious hardliners, said promoting tolerance and diversity must be a prior­ity for both countries. “Stop intolerance, stop xenophobia, stop radicalism and stop terrorism,’’ he said.

“Identity politics must be discouraged in our countries and globally, regardless of its … religious, ethnic or other basis. Identity ­politics is a threat to democracy. A threat to diversity. And a threat to tolerance. These threats will ­become even more actual when exploited for short-term political interests, resulting in hatred, fear and even social conflict.”

Mr Joko, whose parliament ratified the landmark Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement last week, said both countries must also fight growing protectionism, declaring open and fair economic co-operation “beneficial for all”.

He said this economic agenda would “turn rivalries into co-operation” and promote strategic trust.

“When correctly implemented in the Pacific region, it will become the future centre for global econo­mic growth. Indonesia and Australia must become the anchors for co-operation in the Indo-Pacific­ region,” he said.

Mr Joko said Indonesia and Australia must become “anchors for the development partners in the Pacific region”, and should work together to help neighbouring countries address climate change, fight deforestation and improve the environment.

Likening the countries to ­super­heroes from the movie Avengers: Endgame, he said: “When the forces of good unite … the common enemy can be defeated­. When Indonesia and Australia continue to collaborate in working together, that intolerance and protectionism, and the fear of poverty and the threat of climate change, can be overcome.”

Mr Morrison said Australia trusted Mr Joko’s “great leadership” and celebrated his country’s success. “Thanks to your leadership, Indonesia today is an even more dynamic and more successful country to the great benefit of your people.”

The Prime Minister said Aust­ralia would work with its near neighbour to tackle regional challenges, including growing strateg­ic competition, threats to inter­national rules, and a resurgence of extremism and violent terrorism.

“These are not challenges we can face alone. We need partners, we need our friends,” he said.

Mr Joko came to Australia seeking a commitment from Mr Morrison to end onerous visa requireme­nts for Indonesian travellers, arguing that they should receive visas on arrival as Australian travellers do in his country.

While Australian tourists enter Indonesia visa-free for less than 30 days, Indonesians must pay a non-refundable $140 application fee for an Australian tourist visa and fill out a 17-page survey that includes questions such as “have you ever committed an act of genocide?”.

Mr Morrison stopped short of agreeing, saying Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutto­n “will be engaging with his Indonesian counterpart … to look at how we can simplify and streamline the ­issues of entry into Australia”.

The leaders have vowed a 100-day plan to kickstart IA-CEPA.