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.