AP, Jakarta :
Indonesians are by turns shocked and bemused by Donald Trump’s volatile presidency, but many in the world’s most populous Muslim nation say his personality and actions – including his controversial travel ban – haven’t changed their positive view of the United States.
There is a reservoir of goodwill in Indonesia toward the U.S., which Indonesians often see as a beacon for values they hope will flourish in their own country. Perceptions were particularly positive during Barack Obama’s administration because of Obama’s personal links to Indonesia and his efforts to heal divisions with the Muslim world.
The U.S. is one of the largest foreign investors in Indonesia. Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. operates one of the world’s largest copper mines and the world’s largest gold mine in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.
Still, Trump’s attempt to ban travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations is deeply unpopular with Indonesians, who see it as an anti-Muslim measure that could affect them even though their country is not one of the seven being targeted. Indonesia’s foreign ministry warned that Trump’s policy could undermine the global fight against terrorism, but President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was sanguine, telling his country there was nothing to worry about.
Indonesians are by turns shocked and bemused by Donald Trump’s volatile presidency, but many in the world’s most populous Muslim nation say his personality and actions – including his controversial travel ban – haven’t changed their positive view of the United States.
There is a reservoir of goodwill in Indonesia toward the U.S., which Indonesians often see as a beacon for values they hope will flourish in their own country. Perceptions were particularly positive during Barack Obama’s administration because of Obama’s personal links to Indonesia and his efforts to heal divisions with the Muslim world.
The U.S. is one of the largest foreign investors in Indonesia. Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. operates one of the world’s largest copper mines and the world’s largest gold mine in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.
Still, Trump’s attempt to ban travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations is deeply unpopular with Indonesians, who see it as an anti-Muslim measure that could affect them even though their country is not one of the seven being targeted. Indonesia’s foreign ministry warned that Trump’s policy could undermine the global fight against terrorism, but President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was sanguine, telling his country there was nothing to worry about.
