Bandung: Still a forum for innovative politics

Adam Tyson, Leeds, Britain

We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference to be held in Bandung, the capital of West Java, to commemorate the spirit of political alliance temporarily achieved in the past and to come to terms with the political challenges of the present day. Clearly the international political context has shifted dramatically since the 1950s, and conceptions of political opposition and alliance have evolved in complex ways.

The original conference in 1955 brought together representatives of twenty-nine countries from African and Asian nations with the broad agenda to promote economic and cultural cooperation and to articulate a unified opposition to colonialism. This Conference provided the impetus for the formation of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961, illustrating the ideological divide between the hemispheres and the attempt to envision an alternative mode for development, free from the influence of "Western" powers.

Colonialism as such is no longer a key issue, although the colonial legacy is still alive and well in many developing nations. The nature of international relations is evolving within the new context of power and subordination, highlighting the developmental gap between highly industrialized nations and developing nations.

Although this terminology seems to provide a clear fault line between two groupings of nations -- developed versus developing -- there are in fact no simple terms by which to distinguish the different interests of the participating members occupying the "developing" slot.

This should become clearer when representatives meet in Bandung to articulate many different (and perhaps incompatible) positions with regards to the changing nature of international relations and the strategies to empower traditionally marginalized states.

Ideological distinctions have over time been reduced, leaving only a pocket of communist states remaining, many of which have embraced a position of compromise as illustrated by the economic liberalism that has taken off in China and Vietnam, leaving Cuba and North Korea as some of the few so-called "rogue communist states" left.

By no means does this indicate the unanimous victory of liberal democracy as envisioned in Fukuyama's End of History thesis or elaborated upon in Huntington's Third Wave of Democracy thesis. It does, however, illustrate the opportunity that the up- coming Asia-Africa Conference brings for the reinvigoration of ideological debate and the conceptualization of alternatives paradigms for international relations, development, systems and institutions.

Focusing on the specific actors, China played a prominent role at the inaugural conference and can be expected to use its growing stature for strategic purposes during this memorial event. Indonesia may seek to clarify its position on key political issues (given that many observers are critical of the uncertainty of its foreign policy), improve bilateral relations, and consolidate its position as key strategic partner amongst ASEAN nations.

Inconsistency in foreign policy has long been detrimental to Indonesia's international reputation on the one hand, while on the other hand being heralded as the world's largest Muslim democracy with substantial economic resources places Indonesia in an important regional position. The main substantive issues for discussion will likely revolve around environmental concerns, security, economic development, political relations, human rights, and civil society.

Moving away from the international sphere, Bandung itself has undergone a series of cosmetic changes in the run-up to the golden jubilee Asia-Africa Conference. It seems that the holding of prestigious conferences such as this can lead to an indirect policy for urban infrastructure development and improved city planning.

There are many practical examples of the changes taking place in anticipation of the arrival of international dignitaries in Bandung. Consider the "face-lift" occurring in the city center of Bandung, starting with the store-fronts have been painted white along major roads such as Jl. Otista, Jl. Asia Afrika and Jl. Braga in accordance with city regulations.

City "beautification" has been couples with practical regulations to improve traffic regulations; facilitate the removing of hawkers and street-sellers from main thoroughfares; designating specific areas for becaks to wait for passengers; provision of new street lights and plants to improve the atmosphere of the city center; renewing the parks; and enforcing the use of the pedestrian cross-bridge during the daytime on Jl. Merdeka, for example, to improve the flow of traffic and promote public discipline. It seems the developmental dividends of the Asia-Africa Conference have already started to pay off for the residents of Bandung.

Of course it is not all positive: Shop owners themselves have been made to pay for the rehabilitation of the buildings, with very little notice given in advance. In some cases shop-owners had just finished a new paint and rehabilitation job, only to be visited days later by officials informing them to repaint the whole building white, doubling the maintenance costs incurred.

Another event which could not have been foreseen by city and regional administration was the "garbage tsunami" and landslide that occurred on Feb. 21, taking the lives of at least 40 people in Cimahi. The subsequent closure of the Cimahi landfill that services Bandung and has resulted in the accumulation of mounds of rubbish in the streets of central Bandung, which is menjijikkan (disgusting) according to the locals, posing a setback for city officials preparing to host delegates from all over the world under the scrutiny of the international press.

Public concerns about security have also been raised, and no doubt one of the prerequisites for any international forum with as much prestige as the Asia-Africa Conference will be the guarantee of security in Bandung.

Provided that all preparations are completed in a timely fashion, the 50th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference could produce results in three forums.

Internationally, a new consensus may be reached amongst diverse nations facing similar political challenges, leading to innovative proposals for strategic alliances and progressive policies.

Nationally, it could have an impact by providing Indonesia with an opportunity to clarify its foreign policy and its national strategy under the new presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Locally, it could have a micro impact upon communities and the public by improving the coherence of city planning and infrastructure in Bandung and the surrounding area.

The writer, formerly a visiting researcher at Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, is now a PhD candidate at Leeds University, England. He can be reached at adtyson@hotmail.com