Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian government provided a grant of US$6 million, approximately Rp100 billion, to the government of Fiji in April 2025. Agus Pambagio, a public policy observer from the PH&H Public Policy Interest Group, assessed that this grant was likely President Prabowo's effort to seek diplomatic support from Fiji regarding the Papua issue.
According to him, Fiji is among the countries that have previously expressed support for Papuan independence. "There is a possibility. Prabowo wants Fiji to reduce its support for Papua," he told Tempo on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Regarding the situation in Papua, Agus noted Indonesia's need for support within United Nations forums. He suggested that this support could be obtained from Fiji by financially assisting the country's programs. "There is no such thing as free support in this world," he asserted.
On the other hand, Agus acknowledged that providing such grants is a common diplomatic practice, suggesting that the allocated budget simply needed to be utilized. "But from a social perspective, it is certainly disturbing because that amount of money is not insignificant," he commented.
Prabowo welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Rabuka is known to have previously supported Papua Merdeka (Papua's independence) in March 2023.
Rabuka expressed his gratitude for the grant and affirmed his commitment to continued cooperation with Indonesia. "There is no need to worry about debt. Therefore, we express our gratitude to the Indonesian government. We assure you of our commitment to continue and uphold the commitments made by your predecessors," he said on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
According to Rabuka, the government of Fiji will continue to respect Indonesia's sovereignty and will stand with Indonesia in international forums when discussing Indonesia's sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Prabowo stated that Indonesia and Fiji have maintained positive relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1974. He committed to continuing several agreements with Fiji that were established by the previous administration.
"We will continue what has been done in the past under the government that I lead. We will fulfill all our commitments and agreements promptly," Prabowo affirmed.
Prabowo also announced that the Indonesian government would assist in establishing a regional agricultural training center in Fiji. While he did not specify the exact form and amount of assistance, he indicated that it would commence this year.
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.