Indonesia awaits its future after election<\/p>\n
By Patrick Schwarz<\/p>\n
This is the second of two articles exploring the stake of
\nIndonesian people in the days to come.<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): At this important way point in Indonesia's
\nhistory, one should perhaps reflect a bit on her relating with
\nthe outside world. For any nation, globalization has become far
\nmore than just a buzzword. Factors from outside Indonesia in the
\npast, as well as the present, have often determined the turning
\nof events. This week's issue of Time magazine that quantified the
\nbillions of dollars apparently stashed away by former president
\nSoeharto has stirred up quite a storm over here.<\/p>\n
An extra 28,000 copies of the magazine that had been printed
\nfor distribution in Indonesia were sold out the instant they hit
\nthe newsstands. It has also brought back to the voters mind that
\nincumbent President Habibie is dragging his feet prosecuting his
\npredecessor; and most certainly will continue to do so if
\nreelected.<\/p>\n
Another outside factor, commonly known as the \"Asian crisis\",
\ntriggered an even bigger economic crisis in Indonesia. And this
\nstarted the process that eventually toppled the former dictator.
\nBesides political oppression, it was a cleverly monopolized
\neconomy that had kept Soeharto in power for over 30 years. When
\nthe economy stalled, then stumbled, his oppressive methods became
\nhis undoing when the carefully nursed corrupt, nepotistic system
\nstarted unraveling.<\/p>\n
Indonesians themselves, and the world at large, have been
\ntalking forever about the notorious corruption prevailing in this
\ncountry. But nobody ever did anything about it for real. Although
\nentirely homebred, the fires of Indonesia's corruption were
\nextensively fueled by the outside world.<\/p>\n
\"Soeharto Inc.\" was so firmly embedded in the Indonesian
\neconomy, that any one who wanted to do any business in this
\ncountry had to go through it. As a result, even large
\ncorporations with strong humanitarian principles, who religiously
\nnursed a morally correct image in their home countries, played a
\nfoul game in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"When in Rome, do as the Romans do\" was a lame excuse heard
\nall too often. Or, \"if I don't pay those bribes, my competitor
\nwill\". Soeharto and his associates played this to the fullest, to
\ntheir advantage. Visiting heads of state had to look the other
\nway for the sake of business disguised as \"pursuing interests for
\nthe mutual benefit of two peoples ...\" Several of Soeharto's
\nassociates are still representatives of the current Indonesian
\ngovernment. Even with Soeharto out of the picture, their corrupt
\npractices go on unabated. They tend to \"grab\" whatever they can
\n-- while they can -- knowing full well that the upcoming
\nelections probably will, as we all hope, wipe them off the stage
\nfor good.<\/p>\n
As his defense, Soeharto uses the fact that most foreign
\ninvestors played along with his fiddle, stating that, if anyone
\nwanted to go after him, he would have to go after most foreign
\ninvestors in Indonesia as well.<\/p>\n
The power base of Soeharto's genius went even further.
\nInternational organizations, especially those with the most
\nfinancial clout such as the World Bank, and the International
\nMonetary Fund (IMF) in particular, are turning a blind eye even
\ntoday, when millions of dollars that were intended for a social
\nsafety net program in Indonesia, simply disappear. Of all the
\ninternational lenders to Indonesia, the Asian Development Bank is
\nthe only one that had the courage to publicly speak up and take a
\nstance against corrupt practices in the Asian financial markets.
\nBy turning a blind eye, these institutions inevitably support
\nwhat remains of the former dictator's corrupt contingency.<\/p>\n
They must know full well that by doing so, they are running
\nthe risk of throwing a fledgling, democratic political movement
\nout of sync. Why can't these outside powers stop meddling? And
\nlet the Indonesian people -- that by now find themselves in the
\ntrough of the economic crisis -- find their own way out?
\nEspecially at such a crucial time where we can see the emergence
\nof genuine democratic elements, that have a chance to succeed for
\nthe first time in Indonesia's history. The IMF should have
\nlearned its lesson in Russia and stop throwing money after bad
\nboys!<\/p>\n
So, in a couple of days from now, not only will a major page
\nin Indonesia's history be turned, but, as we all hope, an entire
\nnew book will be opened. Will it be the beginning of a new
\n\"democratic reformist-humanists\" era, or will the \"old-powers-
\nthat-were\" prevail? Whatever the outcome -- one way or the other
\n-- the world will stand by Indonesia and her people. The only
\nquestion is: which element out of this big -- and often cruel --
\noutside world will be the one that will stand by it?<\/p>\n
If the winners are the \"old-powers-that-were\", the greedy
\ncapitalistic element of the outside world will have a field day
\nand bully its way back into Indonesia, as quickly as it possibly
\ncan. Looking for a place to invest. For a place with a quick
\nreturn of profits. Cheap labor. Cheap natural resources.
\nCompanies and banks that failed in the crisis to be picked up at
\nreal bargains. Discipline and tight control. No messing around
\nwith labor organizations. Clear-cut business agreements. Security
\nfor all.<\/p>\n
Rising stock markets. A quick recovery from the economic
\ncrisis. And probably a couple of new Indonesian millionaires
\nwithin the next two years.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, if the \"democratic reformist-humanists\"
\ncross the finishing line first, different elements of the world
\nwith different views and priorities will be looking at a new
\nIndonesia in a different way. Some democracies in the old world
\nhave matured over almost two centuries with humanistic and social
\nideologies that are deeply rooted. And have prospered by applying
\nthem.<\/p>\n
They will be more than willing to help a fledgling new
\ndemocracy. And back up words with deeds. They will want to
\nsustain what Indonesia has to offer to the global community. They
\nwill be genuinely concerned with rebuilding Indonesia's economy
\nin a way that helps the development of her people. Looking for
\nfair use of her human resources. For protection of her
\nenvironment. Ecologically sustainable utilization of her natural
\nresources. And help Indonesia find her way to become a valuable,
\nimportant member of the global community commensurate with her
\nimmense potential.<\/p>\n
In a few days, Indonesians will be making this big decision.
\nBy themselves, and for themselves. And in the process, will learn
\nwho their true friends are. Enormous changes lie ahead. A nation
\nis waiting.<\/p>\n
The writer is managing director of ANPCorporation, Semarang.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-awaits-its-future-after-election-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }