Aussie ambassador to Indonesia

Aussie ambassador to Indonesia

As an Australian citizen currently living in Indonesia, I
share the concerns of Pak Djoko Susilo, a member of the House of
Representatives, regarding the choice of Bill Farmer as
Australia's next ambassador to Jakarta.

Over the last nine years, the Howard government has
consistently shown little indication or appreciation of the
importance that our bilateral relationship has for the national
interests of both countries. This is evidenced through the
absence of any interest in broadening the relationship through
enhanced people-to-people contact or in expanding Indonesian
studies and language training in Australia's education system or
in the broader Australian community.

Following the tsunami in Aceh last December, there was some
evidence and hope that the "penny may have finally dropped" for
the Howard government in regard to the importance of a deeper and
mutually respectful bilateral relationship.

With the appointment of Farmer, however, the rhetoric of
recent months appears to be just that, rhetoric. Putting aside
the obvious conclusion that Farmer is being sidelined in order to
remove an embarrassing political problem for the Australian Prime
Minister, his appointment will, I am sure, be widely seen here
among influential Indonesians as an inappropriate and insensitive
choice.

Australian expatriates with whom I have spoken in recent days
are equally dismayed. Farmer has presided over, and is perceived
to be the "enforcer" of Howard government policies that are
deeply unpopular in Indonesia.

Indonesia deserves an Australian ambassador who is not only
professional and competent but can understand the nuances and
feelings of Indonesian culture and society. Indonesia does not
need someone who will arrive with unwanted and undesirable
political "baggage". I hope that the Australian government will
review this decision and make a more appropriate and considered
choice for such a sensitive diplomatic position.

CHRIS STEWART, Jakarta