"The ASEAN region which has been relatively stable so far, will undoubtedly be disturbed by the US military presence there," Marzuki said here on Tuesday.
He said the pretext that the US military base was meant to anticipate possible natural disasters in ASEAN member countries was also not appropriate.
Major disasters forcing countries in the region to ask for other countries` help did not happen frequently or perhaps once in ten years, he noted.
"We really do not know what hidden agenda the US has in setting up a military base there but Indonesia must be careful," he said.
"This is an international issue. The foreign affairs ministry should ask (the US embassy) for an assurance or guarantee that the military base will not change the situation in ASEAN which has so far been stable, safe and peaceful," he said.
President Obama last November 16 in Canberra announced his government plan to use Darwin, Australia, as a new center of military operations in Asia.
"With my visit to the region, I am making it clear that the United States is stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia-Pacific region," Obama said during a press conference.
Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that the United States would send 2,500 marines to Australia.
The move is being seen as an effort to counter China`s growing might and reflects Obama`s eagerness to reassert the United States` influence and power in the region, The New York Times reported.
The base is intended to show Asians that the United States wants to remain relevant in the region.
(SYS/F001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
