Since its independence, Indonesia has maintained a significant position in Southeast Asia.
As the world's fourth most populous country, Indonesia not only holds demographic sway but also exhibits increasing geopolitical and economic influence.
However, Indonesia's geopolitical ambitions and the concept of "Greater Indonesia" often draw international attention.
The notion of "Greater Indonesia" stems from Indonesia's territorial ambitions towards its neighboring countries, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
These countries not only share geographical borders with Indonesia but also have significant Malay populations with linguistic similarities.
Since declaring independence in 1945, Indonesia's territorial claims began to expand into former British colonial territories, especially Malaysia and Singapore.
At that time, Indonesian President Sukarno openly opposed British colonial rule in the region and advocated for these areas to be incorporated into an independent Indonesia.
However, Britain's decision to support Malaysian independence and gradually advance its colonial administration in Southeast Asia angered Sukarno and his supporters.
In 1963, the formation of Malaysia officially sparked armed conflicts in East Malaysia by Indonesia, and even launched small-scale attacks in Singapore.
To protest against the establishment of Malaysia and prevent its accession to the United Nations, Indonesia went so far as to withdraw from the UN, making it the only country in the world to have ever done so.
Nevertheless, despite Indonesia's extreme diplomatic measures at the time, its "Greater Indonesia" plan ultimately failed.
A coalition of countries including the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand countered Indonesia's territorial expansion attempts, ultimately forcing President Sukarno to step down, and the Indonesian government had to accept the limits of its ambitions.
However, with Indonesia's economic strength continuously growing and its status as the country with the largest Muslim population globally, the influence of "Greater Indonesia" has re-emerged in recent years.
As one of Southeast Asia's largest economies, Indonesia's geopolitical position and influence within the region cannot be overlooked.
Especially in today's increasingly frequent economic integration and cultural exchanges, the ideology of "Greater Indonesia" has once again sparked international attention and discussion.
Although the "Greater Indonesia" ideology has experienced setbacks and failures, Indonesia's geopolitical influence and regional leadership remain crucial factors in Southeast Asian and even global political dynamics.
Balancing national interests with regional stability will continue to be a significant consideration in Indonesia's foreign policy and strategic deliberations.
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