Khazanah Hukum
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Khazanah Hukum

An International Law and National Resilience Perspective for Internationalizing Religious Moderation as Indonesia’s Soft Diplomacy Legal Instrument in ASEAN

Achdwiyanto Yudi Hartono (Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional, Jakarta)
Ahmad Zainul Hamdi (Badan Moderasi Beragama dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia, Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia, Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Mar 2026

Abstract

Indonesia, as the largest country in Southeast Asia, plays a strategic role in shaping regional stability and political dynamics within ASEAN. At the same time, regional developments, particularly the rise of religious radicalism and transnational terrorism, have significant implications for Indonesia’s national resilience. In this context, this article examines how Indonesia can strengthen its regional leadership through the internationalization of religious moderation as a legal and diplomatic instrument within ASEAN. The study analyzes the legal foundations of religious moderation policy in Indonesia, including constitutional principles, statutory regulations, and Presidential Regulation No. 58 of 2023, which institutionalizes the promotion of religious moderation as part of national policy. Using a normative qualitative legal approach, this article explores the intersection of law, religion, and diplomacy in promoting regional stability. The findings show that the internationalization of religious moderation can function as a form of soft diplomacy and normative leadership, enabling Indonesia to translate domestic legal norms into regional normative practices. This approach is consistent with ASEAN’s principles of consensus and non-interference, while also contributing to broader efforts to counter violent extremism and strengthen human security in the region. Furthermore, the study argues that religious moderation can be positioned as part of Indonesia’s non-military defense strategy, supporting the development of regional legal norms that promote peaceful coexistence and social resilience. Ultimately, the research highlights Indonesia’s opportunity to institutionalize religious moderation within ASEAN’s legal and diplomatic framework as part of its constitutional mandate to contribute to international peace and stability.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

kh

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Khazanah Hukum is an international journal published three times a year by the Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati. This journal discusses aspects of law in the Indonesian context and the context of globalization. The languages used in this journal are Indonesian and English. Khazanah Hukum ...