Lessons from Beijing?

Lessons from Beijing?

Whether you agree or not with President Abdurrahman Wahid's
policies, controversial statements and sometimes "wicked" sense
of humor, I am astonished by the sheer "magic energy" he has
displayed so far. This magic power of his is needed to finish
round after round of overseas trips in search of what he thinks
as a remedy -- albeit only a partial one -- for the country's
economic ailments.

Hopefully, the priestly flavored President does not
overestimate his strength, spiritual or physical, in breaking
the world record for meeting world heads of state. Also his
frantic missions are no proof that he is underestimating the
grave situation at home, resulting in unabated cries for regional
autonomy and, worse still, intensifying separatist sentiments.

It seems that the adjustment time from spiritual and party
leader to statesman and head of state (usually bound by protocol)
is lasting a bit too long than is comfortable for the nation to
watch. His critics have shown irritation as regards his travel
sprees.

Beijing is beaconing so strongly that President Abdurrahman
Wahid embarks again, this time on a visit to the giant People's
Republic of China, whose population exceeds one billion. The
first lesson that the President may learn is how China can feed
its people and provide employment as well as education for its
teeming masses. The second is how do cooperatives, medium and
small-scale industries complement the industries which cater for
exports, without which China could not survive.

Ideologically, there is nothing to learn from a communist
country which applies repression more often than a humanistic
approach. Unlike religion, the ideology justifies all means to
achieve an end. The President is surely aware of all this.

President Wahid should also know that in many respects China
and Indonesia are manufacturing and exporting the same items,
especially textiles, and, to some extent, they are competitors.

To join forces in manufacturing electronics and automotive
items might lead to greater investments of Chinese capital in
Indonesia, and provide more employment. In any case, trade is
much better than aid.

Is President Wahid perhaps interested in China's one child
policy to curb population growth? A lesson that Indonesia can
certainly learn is China's high level of industrial productivity
and zest for work.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta