Is INDONESIA truly the RICHEST, most POWERFUL nation in the SOUTH EAST ASIA?

Question

I once thought that Indonesia is truly the RICHEST, most POWERFUL nation in the ASIA. Most people disagree and argue that China or Japan is more appropriate. Okay, but those two are located in the East Asia. How about in the region South East Asia? Is Indonesia truly the one there?

PS: I read that President Soekarno of Indonesia once declared war toward Malaysia. Who won the war actually? Indonesia? Malaysia? Are they still at war right now? If Indonesia and Malaysia had TOTAL WAR right NOW in the 21st CENTURY, who would win?

Answer 1

I'm Indonesian. You are ten years too late asking this question.

The truth is, Indonesia has the richest natural resources and the largest population in South East Asia. But Indonesia is among the world poor countries.

Before the 90's economical crisis in Indonesia, YES, it's the richest, most powerful nation in south east asia. Even in the whole Asia we're in the top three along with China and Japan.

But when the economical crisis hit hard (caused by wide and large corruption), Indonesia falling down so fast into the bottom.

In history, YES, we we're once declared a war to Malaysia during President Soekarno rules. It's caused by border problems. There's not a single shot actually, because Malaysia is so affraid back then, run like a chicken.

But after the 90's economical crisis, Malaysia already invaded and take over two island in the border. Then, not long ago they want to take another Islands named Ambalat Islands (rich with oil). But our weak government under President Susilo B. Yudhoyono is make peace with them. Even peoples all over Indonesia roaring asking for war with Malaysia, but Mr. Weak President ignore it.

If there are any war, who will win ? Indonesia has large army, Malysia is nothing compare to it. But since Indonesia is poor country, we don't have the sophisticated war machine like Malaysia. I don't know who will win, but I hope Malaysia will not try to take over another Indonesian Island again.

Answer 2

Currently Indonesia is absolutely not the richest country in SE Asia due to economic crisis in 1998. Though actually Indonesia should be the one..Indo has many natural resources compared to other countries in SE Asia, which can make it the richest country if been managed well.

Regarding to the most powerful, I think Indonesia still be the one..
I won't say much about this issue because its critical..But if we see from the human resources side, yeah i think Indonesia is the most powerful in SE Asia..

There was a dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia in Presiden Sukarno era. I think both countries win as it solved by signing peace agreement. About your if question, I will say neither the two countries will win nor will lose..Why we sould be in total war anyway..if we can cooperate and getting better result in all aspects...

Answer 3

no. no. heck no.
although i really, really wish.

well, indonesia used to be a rich and powerful nation. although that time indonesia wasn't quite yet on the level of an established power, indonesia had such large potential, it was pretty much a leader in SEA.
unfortunately corruption finally took its toll, and unfortunately the people's mentality (consumptive, lack of compatriotism...) wasn't the type to immediately lift the nation up again.
indonesia (economy-wise) has been getting a little better lately, but if indonesia wants to be what it used to be, what must most be improved, fixed even, is the people's attitude. i love this country, and i hope that we can prosper again.

yes, there has been tension a few times before between indonesia and malaysia, but there has never been an all out military conflict. honestly, i don't think that'll be happening anytime soon. neither countries are in a position to have war. if it were to happen, there's just too much to be lost, there's no telling who will win, although indonesia can cause serious damage (though malaysia might be more financially able to finance itself for war), though in turn may suffer crippling hard-to-heal damages.
despite all the heat, i sincerely hope there will never be a war between indonesia and malaysia.

Answer 4

i think Indonesia could be the most powerful country in South East Asia in terms of its people. Knowing that it has the largest population in the whole of SEA, it can actually drag its neighbor countries behind when a war occurs. You have mentioned Japan and China. They are rich in ECONOMIC terms. Indonesia is also the largest nation in SEA and therefore President Soekarno attributed the richness of the country in its natural resources that can be found in its vast land area.
For me, Malaysia has the greatest possibility of winning the war. why? Malaysia is wealthier than Indonesia in economic terms. It can invest a large amount of money for war equipment and so on. Lastly, why would 2 Muslim countries fight with each other?

Answer 5

Indonesia once is a powerful country if the crisis in 97 didn't hit hard. I would not say Indonesia is now but once...that's different story. But if you look to a more clear view to the government...yes they are rich and powerful but the problem is the money don't goes to public but to individuals (corruption)...I dare say this because if you look closely you'll find rich and powerful people that didn't actually recorded in SEA economics leader...

For the war, it's not an open war exactly but maybe you refer to the border conflict few years ago.
I dare not to think Indonesia and Malaysia at war and it shouldn't happen at all costs.

Answer 6

Indonesian military preparedness and capabilities suffered with the military embargo imposed by the US Congress. A good portion of the equipment is US made. Numerically, it has the third largest force in Southeast Asia. Vietnam and Thailand have larger forces in that order.

It's difficult to measure military strength. We can use military budgets, troop strengths, and other quantitative measures to form an opinion, but other factors come into play, such as combat experience which Indonesia and Thailand have but largely against domestic insurgencies.

I would put my money on Vietnam. The Vietnamese pushed the US out of Vietnam, managed to hold off the Chinese in the 1980's, and rolled over Pol Pot in Cambodia. The emphasis has shifted from the military to free trade and economic development in recent years.

Some consider Singapore having the most sophisticated and powerful force in Southeast Asia. Technologically, hands down, Singapore possesses the most advanced weaponry in the region. It's Navy is far superior to that of Indonesia and Malaysia. This capability has never been put to the test in an actual combat, and some are skeptical as to how well Singaporeans could/would stand up in actual hand-to-hand ground combat.

The Indonesians would say they won the war referred to as the Konfrontasi. Avoiding a detailed discussion of the international politics behind the war, Soekarno was largely playing to a domestic audience. He used the war to avert attention away from domestic issues. Soekarno was tossed from power before the war came to an official end.

The Malays backed by Australia, New Zealand, and the UK held off the Indonesians. In 1965, Indonesia, under Suharto, and Malaysia signed a peace treaty. Neither side lost any territory.

Answer 7

Indonesia is not the richest country, there are many counrty like malaysia, brunei , thailand singapore is richer than indonesia.
in terms of power, may be because they have 3rd most people in the world.
as for the war, there is no war between malaysia and indonesia. may be a an economy war.

Answer 8

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.

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Answer 9

hey dude,

seriously this is a really lame question. Theres no war between this two countries.U should asked if theres gonna be a war between Singapore and the whole asean continent. this is the hottest issues now.

If u read the books, Malaysia and Indonesia are 2 neighbours that lived side by side with trust on each other. futhermore both country are muslim country.
No one can argue, they have a confrontatation in 1963, that was a long time ago. and if u check the reason on both side u will got two different reason. 1 is from indonesian side and 1 from the malaysian point of view.
for me u have to be really listen to both reason.
both are wrong at that time. this is because theres no right answer. they learn from their mistake.
If u asked me, who gonna win if this two country fight again... i really have no answer

if u calculated the population size. indonesian will win, bcoz malaysia only have around 24million people compared to indonesia that are 200 millions people but this will only happens if indonesian are clever enough to planning their strategies interms of guerilla tactis because this country doesnt have any sophisticated weapons compared to the malaysian army.
but im seriously sure this two good neighbour will never end up in war again and will settle everything on the discussion table if they encountered any problems. peoples who are stupid enough will fight again but both country are nor chicken. In 2001, this two country together with philipines fight for sipadan island right that located in borneo sea. Both country settled it up in international court that have give the right to malaysia.

The earthquake in yokyakarta and tsunami in acheh recently, showed how closed this two neighbours are. Malaysia are among the first country arrived in the scenes to give help to their neighbour.


If u really knows the history, Indonesian are very rich interms of natural resourses but the corruption in the government make this marvelous country poorer. Malaysian now are improving and known in the world for their economic performance. They are the largest exporter for palm oil and also rubber in the world. For indonesia, from my perception, they can be really economic player in the south east asian if they settled up their internal conflict first.

Answer 10

I would think Malaysia is Economically and Financially stronger than Indonesia and their Armed forces are constantly on Alert status on the Thai border giving them a lot of experience .Indonesian forces have been active in many of the External Provinces against Anti Indonesian forces: So I would guess them to be about even.

You can get some idea about 1963 - Konfrontasi

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/birth_of_saf/v01n09_history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia-Malaysia_confrontation