Indonesia–Saudi Arabia relations

Indonesia–Saudi Arabia relations (Arabic: العلاقات السعودية الإندونسية‎, Indonesian: Hubungan Arab Saudi dengan Indonesia) are particularly important because Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, and Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population ( 230,000,000 ); both are Muslim majority countries.[1] Economy and trade relations are also particularly important, especially on oil (energy) and human resources (migrant worker) sectors. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in Jeddah. Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and G-20 major economies.

Indonesia–Saudi Arabia relations

Indonesia
Saudi Arabia

History
Indonesian President Joko Widodo with King Salman of Saudi Arabia in 2017

The historical link between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia was Islam. Numerous Muslim traders and ulamas arrived in the Indonesian archipelago from the Arab World during the coming of Islam around the 13th century. Since the early 20th century, Indonesian Muslims have taken the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. As the country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia sends the largest number of hajj pilgrims among Muslim countries.[2][3][4] Official diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia were opened in 1950.

The two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement in late January 2014. The agreement largely covers force training and counter-terrorism.[5]

The Saudi-Indonesia found better relationship under Joko Widodo administration when the president was awarded with Order of Abdulaziz al Saud in 2015 by Saudi authority[6] and a lot of Saudi Kingdom family members were invited to come to Indonesia and spend a long vacation in Bali in March 2017.[7]

Trade

In 2008, bilateral trade reached nearly US$6 billion. Because of its oil and gas exports, the trade balance is heavily in favor to Saudi Arabia, while Indonesia mainly exports plywood, textiles, apparel, palm oil, paper and tires.[1]

Migrant workers and human rights abuses

Saudi Arabia is a major employer for thousands of Indonesian workers, mostly in the domestic sector as house maids. As of 2009, there are around 1 million Indonesian workers working in Saudi Arabia.[1] However, there are reports of abuses of Indonesian migrant workers by their Saudi Arabian employers. There are reports of physical abuses, and some led to the death of Indonesian maids.[8] Most of the time, justice was not enforced in Saudi Arabia as the abusers have rarely faced punishment greater than a fine. Some of these cases have attracted worldwide attention.[9]

Another problem is the number of Indonesian workers facing death row in Saudi Arabia. These Indonesian maids have been arrested on alleged charges of murder, witchcraft and sexual offenses. In June 2012, around 32 Indonesian housemaids were arrested and held under death sentences. A few maids were sentenced to death earlier.[10]

High level visits
  • Indonesian President Sukarno Visited Saudi Arabia in 1955
  • King Faisal of Saudi Arabia visited Indonesia on June 10 to 13, 1970.[11]
  • Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Saudi Arabia on 12 September 2015.[12]
  • King Salman of Saudi Arabia visited Jakarta, Bogor, and Bali, Indonesia, on March 1, 2017.[7]

See also

Notes
  1. Veeramalla Anjaiah (September 30, 2009). "Saudi Arabia eyes special relationship with RI: Envoy". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  2. The Government of Saudi Arabia establishes hajj quota, every Muslim country has a hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims per million inhabitants, making Indonesian hajj quota around 200,000 pilgrims.
  3. "Saudi rejected raising hajj quotas: report". Hurriyet Daily News. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  4. "No Hajj Quota Increase This Year From Saudi Government". Jakarta Globe. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  5. Ankit Panda (25 January 2014). "Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  6. "Jokowi Receives King Abdul Azis Medal". Tempo. September 12, 2015. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. Dita Alangkara (1 March 2017). "Crowds greet Saudi king on rare visit to Indonesia". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  8. Kathy Quiano and Moni Basu (November 19, 2010). "Indonesian maid dies after abuse in Saudi Arabia, rights group says". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  9. "Indonesia condemns Saudi maid abuse acquittal". BBC News. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  10. Ghazanfar Ali Khan (25 June 2012). "Indonesian mission working toward solving 32 maids cases". Arab News. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  11. "After 47 years of king Faisal visit to Indonesia". SteemNews.Online. 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  12. "Jokowi gets busy in Saudi Arabia". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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