Our 58th Independence Day<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Aug. 17, we Indonesians will commemorate the
\ncountry's 58th Independence Day. In the early morning hours of
\nAug. 17, 58 years ago, two prominent leaders of the country's
\nindependence movement, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, issued a terse
\nproclamation of the country's independence. The final draft was
\ncompleted after intense discussions among exponents of the
\nmovement and representatives of the restless youth movement.<\/p>\n
Today, however, as we approach the 58th anniversary of that
\nhistoric moment, it is not easy to define our thinking so shortly
\nafter the tragic bomb explosion in front of a five-star
\ninternational hotel in Jakarta. The explosion devastated parts of
\nthe JW Marriott Hotel and damaged office towers in the vicinity,
\nbesides claiming the lives of 12 people and injuring 147 others.
\nIt also caused a serious setback in the cautious optimism and the
\ngrowing self-confidence that had become apparent, just 10 months
\nafter the devastating Bali bombing. Most probably, that was
\nprecisely the objective of the perpetrators of the Marriott
\nbombing. Besides destroying valuable property and killing so many
\nhuman beings, they also intended to shatter the country's self-
\nconfidence and create fear, thereby causing a widespread feeling
\nof uncertainty.<\/p>\n
While the country seems to be adrift with uncertainty and the
\nnational leadership is beset by internal squabbling among a
\npolitical elite that blatantly displays its greed, the question
\narises of what our attitude should be as we commemorate the 58th
\nanniversary of independence. A discrepancy exists between the
\ngrowing concern of the general population and the cynicism of the
\nwell-positioned, both in government and in the private sector.<\/p>\n
The situation was vastly different 58 years ago. At that time,
\na strong idealism prevailed among Indonesians, further fortified
\nby the conviction that an independent Indonesia would be capable
\nof restoring the dignity of the people and of bringing prosperity
\nto millions of Indonesians. The difficulties and obstacles that
\nhad to be overcome were formidable, but the national leadership
\nunder president Sukarno, vice president Mohamad Hatta and the
\nbrilliant prime minister Sutan Sjahrir, who mastered the
\nintricate nuances of the then prevailing international political
\nsituation, was confident that eventually the Netherlands would
\nrelinquish its historical claim over its former colony and that
\nthe international community would recognize the sovereignty of an
\nindependent Indonesia.<\/p>\n
An invitation from Ho Chi Minh, who proclaimed Vietnam's
\nindependence on Sept. 8, 1945, in Hanoi, to \"coordinate Vietnam's
\nand Indonesia's struggle against Western imperialism and
\ncapitalism\", was politely ignored by the Indonesian leadership on
\nthe calculation that the Netherlands would yield sooner than the
\nFrench, whom the Vietnamese had to face. That prediction proved
\naccurate, and the Vietnamese situation took a turn for the worse
\nafter one superpower, the United States -- with its formidable
\nmilitary might -- became involved in the conflict.<\/p>\n
In theory, Indonesia was thus in a much more advantageous
\nposition than Vietnam, and even more so since in 1966 this
\ncountry embarked on a new phase in history with the emergence of
\nthe New Order government under president Soeharto. After the
\nchaotic leadership of the aging president Sukarno collapsed,
\npolitical stability and economic rationality came to the
\nforeground. Economic aid, primarily from Western donor countries
\nand Japan, plus a dramatic increase in world oil prices, which
\npowered Indonesia as a net oil exporter, created a sort of
\neconomic boom in this country. Rapid construction of the
\ncountry's neglected infrastructure, an adequate food supply,
\nimproved education and public health care drew the world's
\nattention to the fact that a strong and modern Indonesia that
\nconducted a responsible foreign policy -- was emerging onto the
\nstage of world politics.<\/p>\n
At present, however, the assessment of discrepancies between
\nIndonesia and Vietnam has become vastly different. Now the world
\nlauds Vietnam for its impressive economic growth, its domestic
\npolitical stability, its hard-working people and a government
\nthat seems determined to eradicate corruption. And, most
\nimportantly, no bombs have exploded in front of any five-star
\nhotels in Hanoi, or at the beach resorts near Hue.<\/p>\n
Still, we might well ask ourselves if such a depressing
\nattitude is justified this Independence Day. It is interesting to
\nnote the view that has been expressed by a number of foreign
\neconomists -- such as Norbert Walter, the Deutsche Bank's chief
\neconomist -- that Indonesia's economic growth is most probably
\nmuch higher than official statistics suggest. In a recent speech
\nin Jakarta, Dr. Walter said that the 20 percent increase in
\nelectricity consumption did not match the 4 percent economic
\ngrowth figure forecast for 2004. Hubert Neiss, who was previously
\nwith the International Monetary Fund in charge of Indonesia, is
\nalso of the view that Indonesia's economic growth is probably
\nhigher than officially estimated.<\/p>\n
All these positive signals, however, are obviously dependent
\non the continued existence of a favorable international climate,
\na firm national leadership that maintains political stability,
\nand a sound macroeconomic policy. The most significant conclusion
\nthat we can draw from the views expressed by international
\nexperts is that in reality, the working zeal and the innovative
\ncapabilities of the Indonesian population have remained high.
\nThat means that there is in fact no justification for pessimism,
\nprovided that the national leadership maintains a clear vision
\nand the political elite refrains from making insensible moves in
\nthe months ahead, pending the onset of the national elections.<\/p>\n
As we commemorate our 58th Independence Day, let us nurture a
\nquiet confidence while retaining a sense of realism in facing a
\ndifficult future. The exquisite line from the Indonesian national
\nanthem provides us with an invigorating inspiration: \"Let her
\nspirit arise for Great Indonesia.\"<\/p>",
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