Bandung: Still a forum for innovative politics

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