Statement of Hizb-ut Tahrir / Indonesia: U.S EMBASSY PROJECT TO BUILD NEW BUILDING IN JAKARTA

Statement of Hizb-ut Tahrir / Indonesia:
U.S EMBASSY PROJECT TO BUILD NEW BUILDING IN JAKARTA

On July 6 2012, as stated on the site http://indonesian.jakarta.usembassy.gov/news/prid_06072012.html) that the U.S Ambassador Scot Marciel, in front of pressmen has announced a plan to build a new building in the same location where the U.S embassy is now located, at Jalan Merdeka Selatan,Central Jakarta. The project will cost $450 Million (approximately Rp. 4.2 Trilliun) and planned to be completed within five years and will involve more than 5,000 workers.

U.S. Embassy complex will consist of several buildings with the workspace area of 36,000sq.m. to be used by the U.S. embassy and the U.S. mission to ASEAN staff. According to the plan, the complex will include a main building with 10 floors, parking buildings, support buildings, consular waiting room, and three gates and will pose a threat to a historic building in this complex. That way, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta will be the third largest U.S. Embassy after the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and Pakistan.

Although the U.S embassy emphasized “Indonesian characteristics,” high technology and friendly environments in the announcement but it can’t cover up the dangers behind this plan. The project gives a strong signal of US powerful grip over Indonesia in particular and over ASEAN in general. Therefore the US project to build a new embassy building in Jakarta must be cautioned against because the largest embassy of a country shows also growth of its interests and its role in a country.

In addition to serving U.S. interests in Indonesia and to the Indonesian people who want to visit the land of Uncle Sam, the embassy also performs the function of intelligence, namely, collecting any information that may be important to its government. A number of diplomatic cables including diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy and US Consulate in Indonesia contained various information about the host country, as they were dismantled by Wikileaks confirmed that function. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy in each host country also functions as “Intelligence Headquarters.”

In addition, the largest U.S. Embassy in Jakarta will also likely be a military base. At almost the same time, in May 2012, the United States also opened a military base in Darwin, Australia. Currently it stations 250 members of the U.S. Marines. That number will continue to grow until 2,500 personnel in 2016. Even recently it is revealed that U.S. troops have entered the territory of Indonesia, particularly in Papua. Indeed, they did not use military clothes, but they come with a variety of missions such as expertise and so on. In Jakarta alone, the U.S. had installed the Navy Medical Research Unit 2 (Namru-2). The installation that was closed is now operating again.

Moreover it is clearly mentioned in the construction contract documents (Department of State 2012 Design-Build Contract for U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia) that the project includes Marine safety unit or Marine Security Guard Quarters (MSGQ), secret facility and security personnel. (“1. Project Description (Secret Facility and Personnel Security clearances required) SAQMMA-12-R0061, Jakarta, Indonesia NEC. The project will consist of design and construction services, including a New Office Building (NOB) attached with the Marine Security Guard Quarters (MSGQ). ”

Regarding this Hizbut Tahrir-Indonesia together with Islamic organizations:

1. Reject the project of a new building of US Embassy in Jakarta because it will be a means of further domination of US over Indonesia especially in political and economic fields. All forms of imperialism will be surely detrimental to Indonesia and its people. Even though this project appears beneficial to Indonesia because it will involve thousands of workers and hundreds of suppliers but US colonization will constitute greater losses in the future to Indonesia.

2. Call on Indonesia government not to allow this project. This rejection is a proof that the government preserves the security of this country seriously. Otherwise, it proves that Indonesia government has bowed to the pressure of this sadist imperialist country.

3. Call on Muslims to move together in this blessed Ramadhan that is called the month of Jihad (syahrul Jihad) to reject the project of US Embassy that brings a great munkar and to defend the sovereignty of Islamic countries. Furthermore we call upon the people to work and fight together to reestablish the Islamic Caliphate. Be certain, only Caliphate alone can realize happiness for all people (rahmatan lil alamin) as Allah SWT promises. Only Caliphate alone can protect dignity and sovereignty of Muslim countries including Indonesia. Inshaallah.

Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakiil, ni’mal mawla wa ni’man nashiir.

Spokesperson of Hizb-ut Tahrir in Indonesia
Muhammad Ismail Yusanto