Maintaining a many-faceted history of bilateral ties
Maintaining a many-faceted history of bilateral ties
The Netherlands and Indonesia have a long history, dating back
to 1596, when the first Dutch ships visited Indonesia. This 400-
year relationship has taken many forms and today, the Netherlands
and Indonesia enjoy close cultural and economic ties which
reflect their long history.
Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Baron Schelto van Heemstra
recently sat down with The Jakarta Post to discuss his country's
bilateral relations with Indonesia as the Netherlands celebrates
its National Day.
JP: How would you describe the current situation in Indonesia?
Ambassador van Heemstra: The political scene is not only
complicated but also worrying. And that has an influence on
economic developments in the country and commercial contacts
between Indonesia and all kinds of other countries, including
mine. So there's a kind of, I won't say stalemate, but no way can
I get things going the way I would like. It's running a race with
a lot of hurdles.
JP: Is the Netherlands making any plans or preparations ahead of
the elections here?
Ambassador van Heemstra: We are, in the first place, participating
in a common EU (European Union) approach. And that has to do with
financial assistance and it has to do with sending observers. In that
framework, we'll be sending four or five observers. Then, we will
be doing something on a bilateral basis.
JP: Could you please characterize bilateral ties between the
Netherlands and Indonesia in the area of culture.
Ambassador van Heemstra: In the Netherlands, there is a great
sense of affinity when we discuss Indonesia. Fifteen percent of the
population somehow has roots here, either in bloodlines or by the
sheer fact that their parents, grandparents or uncles worked here for
some period. That's a very substantial part of the Dutch population
and it means, somehow, it's easier to find common ground for cultural
cooperation.
On the premises here (the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta) we have
the Erasmus Huis. It is, as far as my country is concerned, the
largest house of culture here, with an auditorium, concert house,
library and large exhibition room. Since my arrival, we have had
a number of very interesting events. One was the Rembrandt
etchings. Almost every evening something is taking place here.
JP: Could you please describe Indonesian culture in the
Netherlands.
Ambassador van Heemstra: Part of culture is gastronomy. I claim
that in this part of the world people have had thousands of years
more time to think about eating than in Europe. In itself, that must
be a reason why they have such excellent and delicate dishes. In
Holland, you will find Indonesian restaurants all over the place.
Then in Holland, we have quite a number of cultural
manifestations, markets and bazaars, all Indonesian inspired.
JP: Could you please describe educational ties between the two
countries.
Ambassador van Heemstra: We have quite a number of Indonesians who
have and are studying in Holland, for a short or long period. We have
Indonesian nurses being trained and having a practical year
afterward in Holland. Indonesian traffic police are being trained
in Holland, and in that connection we have courses also on the
premises here being given in Dutch.
At the University of Indonesia, one section is the Dutch
section and there are quite a number of students actually
studying Dutch.
One of the reasons why it is so important that enough people
still study Dutch is because if you take Dutch law and Indonesian
law, the second is very much related to the first. Not only to
understand the original Indonesian legal system, but also to
understand changes that have been made or are necessary, you have
to be able to study Dutch textbooks, and for that reason alone it
is important that Dutch is not completely discarded.
JP: Could you please describe developments in business ties
between the Netherlands and Indonesia.
Ambassador van Heemstra: Roughly speaking, 150 Dutch companies
were active in Indonesia before the crisis, and almost all of them
are still active. There is enough confidence in the future here.
In most cases their business has dropped. They have partly
sent home a number of their expat staff and hired local staff,
which does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. Looking at it
from the Indonesian angle, or maybe ever from the Dutch angle,
for both sides, this might be very beneficial.
JP: Is there the worry that if the economy does not begin to pick
up, more Dutch companies will shut down their operations and
leave Indonesia?
Ambassador van Heemstra: In a number of fields, companies will
always find room to do something.
If you take oil companies, whether it is Shell or another
company, fuel is needed. In the field of personal hygiene, you
will find toothpaste is necessary, soap is necessary, so a
company like Unilever, is still very active. Maybe the net
profits are not what they had hoped for a few years ago, but we
still have Dutch companies investing in Indonesia.
On the 26th of this month (April), a new Philips plant was
opened, which I attended. It shows that a company like Philips is
not scared of making a commitment. This is a good sign. They
could have stopped at any given stage, but they have confidence
in the future.
There are a lot of areas where, whatever happens, cooperation
will be a possibility with Dutch companies.
As long as these 150 companies tell me they're here to stay,
that in itself is a good message.
JP: Looking forward to the June elections, what do you see
happening?
Ambassador van Heemstra: I sincerely hope the elections take
place in an atmosphere as calm as possible. I hope the results are
seen, both by Indonesians and as a consequence by other countries,
as having been fair.
That, I think, for the future of Indonesia, is of crucial
importance.
JP: Do you have a message you would like to deliver to the
Indonesian people?
Ambassador van Heemstra: I really hope that both politically
and economically, matters will settle down. If that is the case,
the immediate future is going to be very bright. This is a condition.
If not, it will take longer. But in the end, I am convinced that there
is a silver lining in the clouds hanging over Indonesia. (David
Eyerly)