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)