Ali Alatas's complaint

Ali Alatas's complaint

Indonesian diplomats should be more articulate in defending
their country's interests abroad and not be merely reactive. They
should not limit themselves to analyzing developments and
reporting on criticism hurled at Indonesia abroad, but be more
assertive and proactive. In short, besides their more
conventional duties of observing, analyzing and reporting
developments, Indonesian diplomats should also sharpen their
ability to inform the world of Indonesia's position in the face
of increased global challenges.

Complaints, regarding what is widely perceived as a lack of
effectiveness on the part of Indonesian diplomatic missions
abroad, are actually nothing new. Criticism of this kind has
already been voiced repeatedly by legislators in the House of
Representatives and by media analysts. And, no doubt, the same
thought has even occurred, often enough, to many of us, ordinary
citizens.

What makes the above-mentioned critique rather extraordinary
is the fact that it was voiced by none other than our Minister of
Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, the number-one man responsible for
the course and quality of Indonesian diplomacy abroad.

In remarks made last week, Alatas encouraged new approaches,
that would develop arguments and ideas to rebuff accusations
coming from abroad. "In other words," Alatas said, "a more
assertive and proactive attitude is demanded from our diplomacy,
by leaving behind our habit of remaining silent, and by avoiding
defensive, reactive diplomacy."

In a further elaboration, given by way of illustration on
Monday, Alatas put his finger on one particular subject: that of
East Timor. "If there are unfavorable things written about
Indonesia on the issue of East Timor, don't (Indonesian
diplomats) just report on it, but respond to it right away, by
forwarding a counter," he said.

However, as Alatas himself was quick to admit, certain
attitudes are hard to change, especially since keeping silent may
be more than a habit, acquired from years and decades of
practice. Cultural considerations could also play a part, as
witnessed by the popular Javanese saying becik ketitik, ala
ketoro -- whatever you do, good or bad, people will eventually
find out.

Clearly, remaining passive and silent is hardly the answer to
the challenges faced in a world in which information flows more
and more freely across national boundaries. A more assertive
stance is needed to balance the adverse information that is being
disseminated against Indonesia abroad.

How to address the situation? We believe that proper training
and education would be a most appropriate way to change the
current attitude of passiveness. In addition, the possibility
should not be overlooked that the general atmosphere currently
prevailing in government bureaucracy is not very conducive to
encouraging initiative among lower-echelon officers. After all,
it is true that this attitude of passiveness does not only exists
among our diplomats.

Ali Alatas's personal rebuffs and responses of negative
foreign publicity so far are, of course, widely appreciated. But
perhaps, if the foreign minister wants to see things going as
desired, without him having to "keep pushing our diplomats to
become more active", he could help by avoiding giving the
impression of he himself conducting a one-man show at the top.