Crank up the engine Indonesia, we may win the race

Crank up the engine Indonesia, we may win the race

M Amien Rais, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly,
Jakarta

After my recent visit to Japan three weeks ago, I started
thinking that Indonesia is like a classic car. It has a glorious
past, great aesthetic value, is greatly admired for past
victories and possesses great collector's value. Everyone wants
to keep a part of Indonesia. Some have chosen to keep a part of
its wealth. Others collect Indonesian ornaments and our national
historical treasures. Photographers have kept millions of
photographs of our nation since the invention of the camera.

Everyone wants a page, a cut or a slice of our beautiful
nation. And they have. The foreign mining companies have found a
comfortable niche in our far-flung islands and they have brought
about a fair amount of benefit to the nation. Like every classic
car, we are highly desired and seen by many as a status symbol.
Yet this valuable and grand car simply cannot compete in present
day races. Japan, China and India now lead that race in Asia. We
are out of their league. And we shall be out of the league until
we crank up our engine, change our rotten parts, put in modern,
viable technology and get back on the track as soon as possible.
We can. We can if we look toward eastern Asia and learn fast and
well from our neighbors.

Prior to starting up the engine, though, we have to take
stock. We have to look inward and outward and find the basic
common factors that we value and which can be traded in for more
resilient values. That means throwing out corruption, collusion
and nepotism before we move on. It takes time but more
importantly, it takes commitment. And the world is watching us.
Our trading partners are watching us. Potential investors are
watching us.

I had the pleasure of meeting up with the Japanese business
community representing the largest companies that have invested
in Indonesia while I was in Tokyo. They have invested in our
country for decades in the electronics manufacturing sector, the
oil and gas sector and energy generation, and they are keen to
remain in Indonesia. We have the obligation to make the necessary
reforms to make sure that their keen interest in expanding
investments Indonesia is met by relevant structural reforms that
make our nation more competitive in the liberal global economy.

We have started cranking up our classic car. The amendments to
the 1945 Constitution have put in place a mechanism for a
directly elected President. This sets the stage for a national
leader who will receive a national mandate to carry out tough but
necessary measures. We cannot let political differences hinder
structural reforms that are critical to make our economy more
dynamic and resilient. The establishment of the direct elections
is not only a political victory in the post-Soeharto era, it is
the key to national economic and social reforms.

Next, we have to restructure the civil service to rid
ourselves of nepotism and to put in place a capable team who can
be leaders in implementing national policy. The military has
graciously agreed to step out of politics and civil governance as
of 2004. We should also use that momentum to put in place a
meritocratic system which ensures that the finest Indonesian
minds are given a place in our administration based on their
ability, not merely their political legacy. Horse-trading is
always necessary in politics but we cannot let it hinder our
choice of national leaders. Once the rotten old parts in our
antique car have been replaced, then the engine can start.

Perhaps we need new fuel. Corruption in the past and present
has remained the fuel that runs the engine. No money, nothing
works. We need a new type of fuel. We need to develop a
sustainable and yet dynamic education system that motivates our
youth and adults to learn and re-learn so they can become an
active part of the global economy. We can.

With these fundamental principles in place, I have faith that
we can start rolling. We will likely not win the first race but
at least we are on the track to recovery. We should look to our
eastern neighbors and learn from them. I have faith that with the
grace of the Almighty and the wisdom of our national leaders,
Indonesia shall win a race sometime in this decade.