Long-term but fuzzy vision from the Assembly

Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Without much fanfare, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is set to pass a decree called Indonesia Vision 2020 that will serve as a guideline for the country in an attempt to achieve prosperity within 20 years.

All factions in the Assembly have endorsed the draft without the usual boisterous debates and with hardly any media attention.

"Hopefully, this (decree) will guide the country so it can achieve its long-term goals," said legislator Sabam Sirait of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

The draft decree, which is expected to be endorsed this Friday, is also intended to promote reconciliation for the sake of national unity.

Vision 2020 is designed to become source of inspiration, motivation and creativity while at the same time providing the country with clear policy directions until 2020.

Thus, in 2020 Indonesians are expected to be more religious, humane, united, democratic, prosperous, independent, and to have effective government.

Legislator Imam Addaruqutni is of the opinion that Indonesia needs such a decree so as to counter the massive external influences of globalization, among other things.

"This becomes an important issue if we still want to protect and preserve our identity as a nation," Imam said.

However, many have voiced skepticism saying that the Vision 2020 is the last thing the country needs nowadays.

With a host of problems gripping the country, concrete plans and actions are what the people are hoping for, not some obstructive vision, critics argue.

Political observer Arbi Sanit takes the view that the decree is of no benefit.

"It's not what this country really needs at the moment. It won't do us any good. It's useless," Arbi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He also questioned the legislators' abilities in determining what was good for Indonesia over the next 20 years.

"I doubt if they really understand what they've been talking about. With the caliber of our legislators, nobody out there in the (House/Assembly) building is fit to draw up a future vision of this country.

"They have enough problems dealing with the current situation. How will they be capable of planning something for the future?" he asked.

Challenges envisioned in Vision 2020 * Strengthening unity * Establishing just legal system * Establishing democratic political system * Establishing productive and fair economic system * Establishing civilized social and cultural system * Developing qualified human resources * Countering negative impacts of globalization