Border security, economic and geopolitical tensions: Indonesia’s immigration strategy for potential economical conflict between China and the US

Economic Annals-XXI: Volume 210, Issue (7-8), Pages: 4-9

Citation information
Okterano, Y., Susetyo, H., & Hanita, M. (2024). Border security, economic and geopolitical tensions: Indonesia’s immigration strategy for potential economical conflict between China and the US. Economic Annals-XXI, 210(7-8), 4-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V210-01

Yanos Okterano
MA (International Relations),
School of Strategic and Global Studies,
Universitas Indonesia
Jl. Lingkar, Pondok Cina, Kecamatan Beji, Kota Depok, Jawa Barat, 16424, Indonesia
yanos.okterano@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7965-4935

Heru Susetyo
PhD (Law),
Faculty of Law,
Universitas Indonesia
Jl. Lingkar, Pondok Cina, Kecamatan Beji, Kota Depok, Jawa Barat, 16424, Indonesia
hsusetyo@ui.ac.id
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4983-1484

Margaretha Hanita
PhD (Politics),
School of Strategic and Global Studies,
Universitas Indonesia
Jl. Lingkar, Pondok Cina, Kecamatan Beji, Kota Depok, Jawa Barat, 16424, Indonesia
margaretha.hanita@ui.ac.id
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0528-1635

Border security, economic and geopolitical tensions: Indonesia’s immigration strategy for potential economical conflict between China and the US

Abstract. Geopolitical tensions are rising in some parts of the globe due to ongoing conflicts. These tensions raise concerns about the potential for a security, economic and geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, China’s growing global influence has prompted the United States to assert its status as the dominant world power. This study evaluates the role of the Immigration border strategy in protecting Indonesia in the economical war between China and US. A qualitative document analysis method was conducted using data from national agencies involved in defense strategy and border security. Preliminary findings suggest that an open war scenario is still unfamiliar to the Indonesian immigration agency. It lacks a mitigation strategy for uncontrollable irregular influx despite some expected impacts, such as refugee crises, foreign military personnel movements, and disrupted regional border cooperation. This study recommends revising Indonesian Immigration Law and regulations to incorporate regional war scenarios, involving other state agencies in the process. It would strengthen the role of Immigration in maintaining national stability. Immigration border control management should prioritize pre-emptive measures, emphasizing risk management.

Keywords: Border Security; Immigration Strategy; Geopolitics; Asia-Pacific; Economic Tensions; Indonesia; China; USA

JEL Classifications: Е24; Е41; Е64; I18; J28; J31

Acknowledgements and Funding: The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Contribution: The authors contributed equally to this work.

Data Availability Statement: The dataset is available from the authors upon request.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V210-01

References

1. Arifin, R., Hanita, M., & Runturambi, A. J. S. (2024). Maritime border formalities, facilitation and security nexus: Reconstructing immigration clearance in Indonesia. Marine Policy, 163(2024), 106101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106101
2. Bryan, G., & Morten, M. (2019). The Aggregate Productivity Effects of Internal Migration: Evidence from Indonesia. Journal of Political Economy, 127(5), 2229-2268. https://doi.org/10.1086/701810
3. Cribb, R., Twomey, Ch., & Wilson, S. (Eds.). (2022). Detention Camps in Asia: The Conditions of Confinement in Modern Asian History. Social Sciences in Asia, vol. 41. Brill.
4. Cuong, N. A. (2023). The South China Sea for China, the United States, and what choice for Vietnam. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2204570
5. Fry, G. E., & Tarte, S. (2015). The New Pacific Diplomacy. ANU Press. https://doi.org/10.22459/NPD.12.2015
6. Heidhues, M. S. (2013). Chinese in Southeast Asia, c.1400-1950. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444351071.wbeghm131
7. International Organization for Migration. (2024). Migration Data Portal. Official web-site. https://www.migrationdataportal.org
8. Nautiyal, A. (2016). US Security Strategy of Asian Rebalance: India’s Role and Concerns. Strategic Analysis, 41(1), 14-33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09700161.2016.1249175
9. Ross, R. S. (2020). It’s not a cold war: competition and cooperation in US–China relations. China International Strategy Review, 2, 63-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42533-020-00038-8
10. Schulenburg, R. (2023). The emergence of collective strategic ambiguity on Taiwan. Lowy Institute, 9, 91-98. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/emergence-collective-strategic-ambiguity-taiwan
11. Suryadinata, L. (2021). A Rising China Affects Ethnic Identities in Southeast Asia. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
12. Szadziewski, H. (2021). A Search for Coherence: The Belt and Road Initiative in the Pacific Islands. In G. Smith, & T. Wesley-Smith (Eds.), The China Alternative: Changing Regional Order in the Pacific Islands (1^st Ed. pp. 283-317). Australian National University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1h45mkn.13
13. Wirth, Ch. (2023). Solidifying sovereign power in liquid space: The making and breaking of island chains and walls at sea. Political Geography, 103, 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2023.102889
14. World Bank. (2023). Indonesia Report 2023. Official web-site. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/overview

Received 6.04.2024
Received in revised form 15.05.2024
Accepted 20.05.2024
Available online 27.08.2024