JAKARTA – In a pivotal address delivered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta asserted that the global community is in urgent need of a refreshed narrative in international relations. This new approach, he argued, is essential to effectively mitigate the escalating challenges of Islamophobia, pervasive interfaith prejudice, and the troubling weaponization of religious identity as a tool for geopolitical conflict. The Deputy Foreign Minister’s remarks, made during the Sajid Diplomat Talk hosted by the Indonesian Muslim Journalists Union (Sajid) on Thursday, July 16, 2026, underscored Indonesia’s commitment to fostering a more understanding and cooperative global environment. The event, held at the Constitution Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, gathered approximately 50 journalists from diverse media outlets, indicating the significant public interest in these critical issues.
The Peril of Engineered Fear and Identity Politics
Deputy Foreign Minister Matta meticulously dissected the contemporary landscape of international relations, highlighting how fear — whether directed at an ideology, a nation, or a religion — is frequently manipulated and engineered to serve political agendas. This manipulation, he explained, often aims to construct a manufactured perception of threat, thereby justifying certain political actions or fostering divisions. He cited observable instances of this phenomenon, ranging from anxieties surrounding the rise of China and Russia to the persistent and concerning specter of Islamophobia. Matta emphasized the profound danger inherent in such tactics, stating, "What concerns us most is the utilization of religious issues as an instrument in geopolitical conflicts." This instrumentalization of religion, he elaborated, often oversimplifies complex issues, demonizes entire communities, and obstructs genuine dialogue, creating fertile ground for radicalization and mistrust.
The Deputy Foreign Minister’s analysis resonates with broader global trends where identity politics have gained prominence, often at the expense of universal values and shared humanity. In a world grappling with multifaceted crises, from climate change to economic disparities, the diversion of attention towards perceived religious or ideological threats can prevent collaborative solutions. The discourse of fear, once established, can be remarkably difficult to dismantle, permeating public consciousness through various channels and influencing policy decisions both domestically and internationally.
Indonesia’s Proactive Diplomatic Initiatives
In response to these pressing global challenges, Deputy Foreign Minister Matta outlined Indonesia’s proactive diplomatic strategy. He detailed the nation’s efforts to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations with various countries, all aimed at cultivating a new narrative rooted in mutual understanding and respect. This diplomatic thrust seeks to enable societies to comprehend each other’s religious and cultural backgrounds without succumbing to the feeling of being threatened. Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation with a deeply enshrined tradition of religious pluralism and tolerance, positions itself uniquely to champion this inclusive narrative. Its state ideology, Pancasila, explicitly advocates for unity in diversity, providing a robust framework for interfaith harmony that can serve as a model on the international stage.
One concrete example of this diplomatic outreach, as highlighted by Matta, involves exploratory cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the special envoy of the Netherlands for religious freedom. This collaboration is designed to actively combat various forms of phobia that frequently arise from the lingering "residues" of historical conflicts and misunderstandings. The historical ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands, marked by a colonial past, present both challenges and opportunities for reconciliation and the forging of new narratives based on shared experiences rather than past grievances.
Leveraging Shared History: The Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari Proposal
To further illustrate the potential for transforming historical residues into bridges of understanding, Deputy Foreign Minister Matta proposed a significant cultural initiative. He suggested that an exhibition dedicated to Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari, a revered Indonesian national hero and Sufi scholar, should not be confined solely to the Dutch Embassy. Instead, he advocated for its concurrent display at Fort Rotterdam in Gowa, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This proposal carries profound symbolic weight. Syekh Yusuf, known as Tuanta Salamaka ri Gowa, was a prominent Islamic scholar who resisted Dutch colonial rule in the 17th century. He was eventually exiled by the Dutch, first to Sri Lanka and later to Cape Town, South Africa, where his teachings profoundly influenced the local Muslim community.
The dual exhibition, Matta explained, could serve as a powerful symbol of a shared, albeit complex, history. By acknowledging and presenting this history in both nations, it could actively foster reconciliation and alleviate the burdens of the past that often impede contemporary cooperation. "So that we both have a shared history and begin to forget those residues," Matta stated, underscoring the importance of moving beyond historical grievances. He cautioned that if the "residues of history continue to live in our memories, we will find it difficult to cooperate." This perspective aligns with broader international efforts to address historical injustices through dialogue and cultural exchange, recognizing that a clear-eyed understanding of the past is crucial for building a more peaceful future. The Syekh Yusuf exhibition, therefore, is not merely a historical commemoration but a strategic diplomatic tool aimed at narrative reconstruction.
Global Interconnectedness and the Imperative for a Holistic View
Matta further enriched his discourse by encouraging participants to view world history through a lens of profound interconnectedness. He drew attention to a series of pivotal historical events that collectively reshaped global geopolitics: the fall of Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire; the culmination of Islamic rule in Andalusia in 1492, signifying a major shift in European power dynamics; and the arrival of the Portuguese in Nusantara in 1511, heralding the advent of European colonialism in Southeast Asia. These events, though geographically and chronologically distinct, are interconnected threads in the tapestry of global change, each influencing the subsequent trajectory of international relations and leaving indelible marks on collective memory and identity.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that while historical events unfolded at a slower pace, the modern era is characterized by unprecedented speed and interconnectedness. The advent of globalization, rapid technological advancements, and instantaneous communication mean that conflicts in one region can have immediate and far-reaching repercussions across the globe. This heightened interdependence necessitates a paradigm shift in how nations approach international affairs. "With this perspective, we have a duty to create a new narrative that helps us understand issues more holistically," Matta urged. This holistic understanding, he argued, moves beyond narrow national interests or singular ideological frameworks, embracing the complexities and interdependencies that define the 21st century. It calls for a recognition that global challenges require global solutions, predicated on shared narratives of cooperation rather than division.
The Crucial Role and Responsibilities of Media
A significant portion of Deputy Foreign Minister Matta’s address was dedicated to the critical role of media in shaping public discourse and fostering understanding. He firmly asserted that media reporting should never be measured by its alignment with government policy. Instead, he posited that media serves as a vital social instrument, primarily responsible for stimulating robust and informed public discourse. This perspective champions the media’s watchdog role and its capacity to facilitate a healthy democratic environment. "The government should listen to public debate and understand the pulse of society," Matta stated, advocating for an open and responsive governance model that values public input and critical analysis.
He further elaborated on the necessity of elevating the quality of public discourse. Matta argued that the public sphere should be geared towards the deepening of knowledge, rather than merely proliferating superficial debates or engaging in unproductive contention. A healthy society, he contended, thrives when public discourse actively promotes the generation of new knowledge, innovative ideas, and constructive dialogue. This calls for a media ecosystem that prioritizes depth, accuracy, and nuance over sensationalism or partisan rhetoric. The challenge, therefore, lies in cultivating a media landscape that informs and educates, thereby empowering citizens to engage meaningfully with complex issues and contribute to a more enlightened society.
Navigating the Perils of Social Media Algorithms
Matta also cast a critical eye on the inherent dangers of social media business models, which are predominantly built on generating traffic through sensation and provocation. He explained how the algorithms of digital platforms are designed to exploit user emotions, leveraging features like "likes" and "dislikes" to push content that elicits strong reactions, often anger or sensationalism. This algorithmic design, he warned, creates an incentive structure where inflammatory or divisive content is amplified, leading to echo chambers and increased societal polarization. The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the paradox of this model: "Social media business relies on sensation and provocation because that’s what generates traffic. Yet, ultimately, it is the platform owners who benefit the most."
This analysis underscores a significant contemporary challenge: the erosion of informed public discourse by profit-driven digital platforms. The constant exposure to emotionally charged, often unverified, content can distort perceptions, entrench prejudices, and make it more difficult for individuals to discern truth from falsehood. In the context of Islamophobia and interfaith prejudice, these algorithms can inadvertently—or even purposefully—amplify hateful narratives, making the task of building a new narrative of understanding significantly more arduous. The implications extend beyond individual users to societal cohesion and democratic processes, necessitating a deeper societal conversation about the ethical responsibilities of technology companies and the need for greater digital literacy.
Toward Sustainable, Quality Journalism
In light of these challenges, Deputy Foreign Minister Matta proposed a forward-thinking solution for media organizations dedicated to education and enlightenment. He argued that such media outlets require a sustainable funding model that does not solely depend on traffic-driven advertising revenues. Instead, he advocated for their support through endowment funds. An endowment model, characterized by long-term investment and stable returns, could provide financial independence, allowing media organizations to prioritize journalistic quality, investigative reporting, and public service over the fleeting demands of clickbait and viral content. This financial autonomy would enable them to uphold rigorous ethical standards and invest in in-depth reporting, thereby ensuring that they can fulfill their crucial role in fostering an informed citizenry.
Matta concluded his address with a powerful call to action for journalists. He expressed his profound hope that journalists would embrace their vital role in constructing narratives that actively promote understanding, effectively diminish prejudice, and robustly strengthen dialogue amidst the escalating geopolitical dynamics of the world. In an era marked by rapid information dissemination and the proliferation of misinformation, the responsibility of journalists to provide accurate, contextualized, and empathetic reporting has never been more critical. By consciously shaping narratives that emphasize shared humanity, common ground, and the pursuit of knowledge, journalists can become indispensable architects of a more peaceful, cooperative, and understanding global society. Indonesia’s diplomatic vision, articulated by Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta, thus extends beyond traditional state-to-state relations, embracing the transformative power of narrative and the indispensable role of an enlightened media.
