'Saudi Arabia Sees a Consistent Partner in Indonesia,' Says a Scholar
Jakarta. The upcoming visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud proves that Saudi Arabia sees a consistent partner in Indonesia, a scholar says.
Muhammad Luthfi Zuhdi, head of the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Indonesia, said on Saturday (25/02) that in terms of economic partnerships, Saudi Arabia can no longer depend on other Middle Eastern countries, such as Syria, Yemen, Iraq or Egypt, which have been consumed by domestic and international problems.
"There's no more Syria, Yemen, Iraq or Egypt. They are no longer reliable [partners]," Luthfi said.
According to him, Saudi Arabia is also unlikely to partner up with Turkey, which has imperialist aspirations.
Luthfi said that with Saudi economy getting worse, due to the recent 19-percent drop in crude prices, the kingdom needs more partnerships, and it has chosen Indonesia.
Saudi Arabia's hoard of foreign exchange reserves still allows it to invest in Indonesia, which is also dependent on the kingdom in its crude oil supply.
More than 1 million Indonesians work in Saudi Arabia, and each year another million arrives there for a pilgrimage, Luthfi added.
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