'Don't be too optimistic about RI-Australia ties'
'Don't be too optimistic about RI-Australia ties'
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the seemingly sturdy foundation of ties
between Jakarta and Canberra, a political analyst warns against
over confidence about establishing a ripple-free relationship.
Hilman Adil, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, said
yesterday that although ties are solid, Canberra's foreign policy
stance is often subjected to critical scrutiny by its people and
media.
"A sense of over optimism should be avoided bearing in mind
the contrasting systems and political cultures of the two
countries," the expert on Australian affairs said.
Speaking at a seminar on "Indonesia's Fight for Independence
and Australia's Contribution" at the University of Indonesia in
Depok, West Java, Hilman and other speakers said that differing
perceptions were the cause of the recent rise of tensions between
the two governments.
Wardiningsih Soerjohardjo, head of the university's Australian
analysis department, pointed to divergent perceptions in cultural
and political systems, along with domestic interests, as the
cause of the see-sawing state of ties.
"With globalization, specifically in the flow of information,
along with rapid economic growth, I hope that the differences
will, slowly, become less of an impediment," Wardiningsih said
later on in the seminar.
Hilman warned that despite the vast flow of information and
the willingness of the two governments to appreciate each other's
position, differences which spark high emotions in a wide segment
of society remain a proximate possibility.
"It is impossible to change public perception, which pays
little attention to conditions beyond borders and remains riveted
on sensational issues spotlighted by the media," Hilman said of
Australian public perceptions.
He said a transformation on how each country perceived the
other could help avoid future discomfort in bilateral ties.
One example was Indonesia's strong reaction towards an article
by David Jenkins of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1986, which
people here found demeaning to President Soeharto.
The Australian public considered Jakarta's reaction as an
irrational act, which was adverse to its own interest.
Indonesia and Australia have experienced a series of peaks and
valleys in their bilateral ties, with the current state of
relations being one of the lowest in several years.
The decline was sparked by strong criticism from the
Australian media and parliament over the choice of Indonesia's
new ambassador to Canberra, due to past comments he made over
East Timor. Jakarta has since withdrawn the nomination and
vacated the ambassadorial post.
This was followed by a series of flag burning incidents in
Australia, during the week Indonesia celebrated its golden
independence anniversary.
"The case of Indonesian-Australian relations is a clear
example of just how much of a role the elements of irrationality
and emotion can play in ties between the two countries," Hilman
said.
He said that any analysis of the two countries relations,
apart from considering objective elements, must also take into
account public opinion.(mds)
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the seemingly sturdy foundation of ties
between Jakarta and Canberra, a political analyst warns against
over confidence about establishing a ripple-free relationship.
Hilman Adil, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, said
yesterday that although ties are solid, Canberra's foreign policy
stance is often subjected to critical scrutiny by its people and
media.
"A sense of over optimism should be avoided bearing in mind
the contrasting systems and political cultures of the two
countries," the expert on Australian affairs said.
Speaking at a seminar on "Indonesia's Fight for Independence
and Australia's Contribution" at the University of Indonesia in
Depok, West Java, Hilman and other speakers said that differing
perceptions were the cause of the recent rise of tensions between
the two governments.
Wardiningsih Soerjohardjo, head of the university's Australian
analysis department, pointed to divergent perceptions in cultural
and political systems, along with domestic interests, as the
cause of the see-sawing state of ties.
"With globalization, specifically in the flow of information,
along with rapid economic growth, I hope that the differences
will, slowly, become less of an impediment," Wardiningsih said
later on in the seminar.
Hilman warned that despite the vast flow of information and
the willingness of the two governments to appreciate each other's
position, differences which spark high emotions in a wide segment
of society remain a proximate possibility.
"It is impossible to change public perception, which pays
little attention to conditions beyond borders and remains riveted
on sensational issues spotlighted by the media," Hilman said of
Australian public perceptions.
He said a transformation on how each country perceived the
other could help avoid future discomfort in bilateral ties.
One example was Indonesia's strong reaction towards an article
by David Jenkins of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1986, which
people here found demeaning to President Soeharto.
The Australian public considered Jakarta's reaction as an
irrational act, which was adverse to its own interest.
Indonesia and Australia have experienced a series of peaks and
valleys in their bilateral ties, with the current state of
relations being one of the lowest in several years.
The decline was sparked by strong criticism from the
Australian media and parliament over the choice of Indonesia's
new ambassador to Canberra, due to past comments he made over
East Timor. Jakarta has since withdrawn the nomination and
vacated the ambassadorial post.
This was followed by a series of flag burning incidents in
Australia, during the week Indonesia celebrated its golden
independence anniversary.
"The case of Indonesian-Australian relations is a clear
example of just how much of a role the elements of irrationality
and emotion can play in ties between the two countries," Hilman
said.
He said that any analysis of the two countries relations,
apart from considering objective elements, must also take into
account public opinion.(mds)