Indonesian administration under Joko Widodo introduces the pro-people foreign policy as a response to protect the migrant workers overseas. This study examines the concept of pro-people foreign policy orientation and how it is implemented. Taking the case of economic migrants in Malaysia, the study uses the qualitative method. The study shows that the current government applies principles of state existence to deal with the citizens overseas. Certain facilities for protection of migrant workers are set up, including digital platform and shelters. However, with a broad scale of problems, it is not easy for the government of Indonesia to address the issues of economic migrants overseas comprehensively. Based on the study, a preliminary model of foreign policy decision-making process is constructed in the formulation and implementation of pro-people foreign policy.
Asep Setiawan is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.
Endang Sulastri and Sumarno are affiliated to the Political Science Department, University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Indonesia.
Email: asep.setiawan@umj.ac.id