Maritime security and terrorism are the two main threats to regional stability, Indonesia's defence minister says, urging countries involved in ongoing disputes about the South China Sea to be more "open" and "work together".
With more than half of the world's trade passing through the region, including some 30 per cent of its oil, Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said it was imperative to ensure the security of the region from "unresolved threats".
This included ongoing disputes in the South China Sea where several countries have overlapping claims.
Indonesia, however, is not a claimant.
"I am optimistic that through intensive dialogue and by abiding by the law ... the commitment of the conflicting parties to reach agreement with mutual respect and in good faith to solve this problem will ameliorate or even eliminate conflict," he told the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club on Friday.
"It is very important that we (Indonesia) remain neutral," he added.
Mr Ryacudu was hopeful the Philippines new administration headed by Rodrigo Duterte would improve tensions, adding that "I believe (it) is more lenient to China compared to the previous administration".
He also pointed to the maritime threats of piracy by military groups such as Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, which has taken two boat crews of Indonesians hostage this year and also executed Canadian Robert Hall this week after holding him captive for the past nine months.
"We must start thinking about a new synergic approach between the counter-terrorism and maritime security working groups," he said.
"I call on all members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to consider concrete and strategic new initiatives to improve security and stability in (these) waters.
