Indonesia awaits its future after election
Indonesia awaits its future after election
By Patrick Schwarz
This is the second of two articles exploring the stake of
Indonesian people in the days to come.
SEMARANG (JP): At this important way point in Indonesia's
history, one should perhaps reflect a bit on her relating with
the outside world. For any nation, globalization has become far
more than just a buzzword. Factors from outside Indonesia in the
past, as well as the present, have often determined the turning
of events. This week's issue of Time magazine that quantified the
billions of dollars apparently stashed away by former president
Soeharto has stirred up quite a storm over here.
An extra 28,000 copies of the magazine that had been printed
for distribution in Indonesia were sold out the instant they hit
the newsstands. It has also brought back to the voters mind that
incumbent President Habibie is dragging his feet prosecuting his
predecessor; and most certainly will continue to do so if
reelected.
Another outside factor, commonly known as the "Asian crisis",
triggered an even bigger economic crisis in Indonesia. And this
started the process that eventually toppled the former dictator.
Besides political oppression, it was a cleverly monopolized
economy that had kept Soeharto in power for over 30 years. When
the economy stalled, then stumbled, his oppressive methods became
his undoing when the carefully nursed corrupt, nepotistic system
started unraveling.
Indonesians themselves, and the world at large, have been
talking forever about the notorious corruption prevailing in this
country. But nobody ever did anything about it for real. Although
entirely homebred, the fires of Indonesia's corruption were
extensively fueled by the outside world.
"Soeharto Inc." was so firmly embedded in the Indonesian
economy, that any one who wanted to do any business in this
country had to go through it. As a result, even large
corporations with strong humanitarian principles, who religiously
nursed a morally correct image in their home countries, played a
foul game in Indonesia.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" was a lame excuse heard
all too often. Or, "if I don't pay those bribes, my competitor
will". Soeharto and his associates played this to the fullest, to
their advantage. Visiting heads of state had to look the other
way for the sake of business disguised as "pursuing interests for
the mutual benefit of two peoples ..." Several of Soeharto's
associates are still representatives of the current Indonesian
government. Even with Soeharto out of the picture, their corrupt
practices go on unabated. They tend to "grab" whatever they can
-- while they can -- knowing full well that the upcoming
elections probably will, as we all hope, wipe them off the stage
for good.
As his defense, Soeharto uses the fact that most foreign
investors played along with his fiddle, stating that, if anyone
wanted to go after him, he would have to go after most foreign
investors in Indonesia as well.
The power base of Soeharto's genius went even further.
International organizations, especially those with the most
financial clout such as the World Bank, and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) in particular, are turning a blind eye even
today, when millions of dollars that were intended for a social
safety net program in Indonesia, simply disappear. Of all the
international lenders to Indonesia, the Asian Development Bank is
the only one that had the courage to publicly speak up and take a
stance against corrupt practices in the Asian financial markets.
By turning a blind eye, these institutions inevitably support
what remains of the former dictator's corrupt contingency.
They must know full well that by doing so, they are running
the risk of throwing a fledgling, democratic political movement
out of sync. Why can't these outside powers stop meddling? And
let the Indonesian people -- that by now find themselves in the
trough of the economic crisis -- find their own way out?
Especially at such a crucial time where we can see the emergence
of genuine democratic elements, that have a chance to succeed for
the first time in Indonesia's history. The IMF should have
learned its lesson in Russia and stop throwing money after bad
boys!
So, in a couple of days from now, not only will a major page
in Indonesia's history be turned, but, as we all hope, an entire
new book will be opened. Will it be the beginning of a new
"democratic reformist-humanists" era, or will the "old-powers-
that-were" prevail? Whatever the outcome -- one way or the other
-- the world will stand by Indonesia and her people. The only
question is: which element out of this big -- and often cruel --
outside world will be the one that will stand by it?
If the winners are the "old-powers-that-were", the greedy
capitalistic element of the outside world will have a field day
and bully its way back into Indonesia, as quickly as it possibly
can. Looking for a place to invest. For a place with a quick
return of profits. Cheap labor. Cheap natural resources.
Companies and banks that failed in the crisis to be picked up at
real bargains. Discipline and tight control. No messing around
with labor organizations. Clear-cut business agreements. Security
for all.
Rising stock markets. A quick recovery from the economic
crisis. And probably a couple of new Indonesian millionaires
within the next two years.
On the other hand, if the "democratic reformist-humanists"
cross the finishing line first, different elements of the world
with different views and priorities will be looking at a new
Indonesia in a different way. Some democracies in the old world
have matured over almost two centuries with humanistic and social
ideologies that are deeply rooted. And have prospered by applying
them.
They will be more than willing to help a fledgling new
democracy. And back up words with deeds. They will want to
sustain what Indonesia has to offer to the global community. They
will be genuinely concerned with rebuilding Indonesia's economy
in a way that helps the development of her people. Looking for
fair use of her human resources. For protection of her
environment. Ecologically sustainable utilization of her natural
resources. And help Indonesia find her way to become a valuable,
important member of the global community commensurate with her
immense potential.
In a few days, Indonesians will be making this big decision.
By themselves, and for themselves. And in the process, will learn
who their true friends are. Enormous changes lie ahead. A nation
is waiting.
The writer is managing director of ANPCorporation, Semarang.