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The population is largely unaware of Australia’s plan to procure nuclear-powered submarines, despite criticism from the government, Lowy Institute data has revealed.
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The Lowy Institute has published findings from its Indonesia Poll 2021 – which involved a national survey of 3,000 Indonesian adults between 29 November and 24 December 2021 – revealing just 11 per cent of Indonesians are aware of the Australian government’s plan to procure a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
Of those respondents, 40 per cent did not know whether the deal would have an impact on Indonesia’s security.
Just 28 per cent fear Australia’s SSN program would make Indonesia “less safe”, while 24 per cent said it would make “no difference” to the nation’s security.
This comes despite “deep concern” expressed by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the AUKUS announcement last September.
“Indonesia stresses the importance of Australia’s commitment to continue meeting all of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations,” the ministry said.
“Indonesia calls on Australia to maintain its commitment towards regional peace, stability and security in accordance with the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.”
The Lowy Institute polling also found just 7 per cent of Indonesians are aware of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad) between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
Of those aware of the Quad, 66 per cent said they do not know if they would support or oppose Indonesia’s membership of the Quad.
Just 21 per cent said the Quad would improve the country’s security, while 13 per cent fear it would reduce safety.
More broadly, the survey reported Indonesians’ trust in Australia to act responsibly has fallen by 20 percentage points since the last poll was taken in 2011, down from 75 per cent to 55 per cent.
Trust in the United States has also slipped, falling 16 percentage points to 56 per cent over the same period.
However, Indonesians continue to place more trust in Australia and the United States to act responsibly on the global stage than China.
Trust in China has dipped 18 percentage points over the past decade to just 42 per cent.
[Related: AUKUS risks flagged ahead of US mid-terms ]
