Rethinking Indonesian “Independence” Through the Uyghur Issue 

* By Ibrahim Abdulmajid

Every August, Indonesians celebrate Independence Day. But what does independence really mean today? Has Indonesia truly achieved independence, and how should we understand that idea in a global context?

A country’s independence, marked by the creation of its own state, cannot be separated from its history of imperialism and colonialism. These systems are built on domination and control, forcing people and territories to submit to foreign powers and allowing those powers to exploit their natural and human resources.

Indonesia experienced this kind of domination from the 17th century until the first half of the 20th century. European powers, beginning with the Portuguese and Dutch and later followed by Japan, conquered and occupied Indonesian territories, built colonial systems, and exploited both natural resources and local people. As a result, Indonesians lost their ability to determine their own future. For generations, many Indonesians lived in severe poverty and had limited access to education, making it extremely difficult to escape colonial rule.

So, can Indonesia truly decide its own future today? The answer is not simply “yes” or “no.”

“Independence from Debt”

Since 2014, during the presidency of Joko Widodo, Indonesia has become an important destination for foreign investment and large-scale projects from China. A report by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) in Jakarta, titled Redefining China’s “Debt Trap”: An Indonesian Perspective, argues that a country can be considered caught in a “debt trap” when it can no longer maintain an independent position on issues involving its creditors.

Creditor countries naturally have strategic interests that they want to protect. As a result, countries that owe them money may face pressure to protect those interests. This creates a complicated diplomatic balancing act between Indonesia and China, particularly when it comes to the Uyghur issue.

As the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has an important moral responsibility to respond to the situation faced by the Uyghur people. Their ongoing suffering should encourage Indonesia to take stronger diplomatic action. In reality, however, this sense of responsibility toward fellow Muslims has often been overshadowed by economic interests and the desire to maintain “friendly relations” with China, one of Indonesia’s major investors and creditors.

According to a report by CNBC Indonesia, Indonesia’s external debt to China reached $25.574 billion, or around IDR445 trillion, in February 2026. This was close to Indonesia’s external debt to the United States, which stood at $27.8 billion.

Indonesia’s Constitution is built on strong anti-colonial principles. The Preamble to the 1945 Constitution clearly states that independence is the right of every nation and that colonialism must be abolished because it goes against humanity and justice. Indonesia’s rejection of oppression is therefore closely connected to the broader principles of human rights and justice.

Yet when it comes to the Uyghur issue, these principles seem to become less visible. In 2022, Indonesia’s delegation to the UN Human Rights Council voted against a proposal to discuss alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs. This decision was widely seen as a cautious move to avoid upsetting China, an important creditor and economic partner.

Indonesia has also taken a cautious position within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Rather than taking a strong position on the Uyghur issue, Indonesia has emphasized the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other sovereign countries.

It is time for Indonesia to reconsider its diplomatic position on the Uyghur issue and take a more principled approach. The possible economic or diplomatic consequences of speaking out should be seen as part of the cost of standing by the constitutional commitment to fight against oppression in the name of humanity and justice.

At the same time, Indonesia’s diplomatic efforts should continue to follow international law and established diplomatic channels. By doing so, Indonesia can better honor its historical commitment to people facing oppression, including the Uyghurs.

After all, independence should be more than something Indonesia celebrates every August. It should be a living principle, one that is reflected not only in our history and Constitution, but also in the choices we make in our foreign policy toward the Uyghur issue.

* Ibrahim Abdulmajid is an Indonesian researcher and educator. He is currently pursing his PhD in social sciences.