New era in RI-Australia relation

Jeffrey Francis, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

Never in the political history of Indonesia has its head of state somewhat intimately described Australians as "brothers and sisters".

That President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono did it last week was a surprise. If he had used the term only once, it may be regarded, as the saying goes, as "a slip of the tongue is no fault of the mind".

But when he used the term for the second time in the same context, it is difficult to rule out his sincerity in an attempt to improve the political and diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Indeed, it is the beginning of a new era in bilateral relationship.

"I have to respect and honor (these) soldiers who have shown their great courage, sacrifice and dedication for helping their brothers and sisters in Nias," he said emotionally as he referred to the death of nine Australian soldiers.

The soldiers were on a rescue and humanitarian mission to the earthquake-devastated island of Nias, near Sumatra, when the Sea King helicopter crashed and killed nine of the 11 soldiers last week.

Most significantly is this statement: "For me, it shows that our friendship, cooperation and togetherness, not only as neighbors but as partners and brothers, inspire me to improve and promote our partnership." Susilo appears to have changed his attitude and approach to his country's political, economic and social problems.

During the visit, he charmed Australians with his charisma and personality.

Prime Minister John Howard described him as "an impressive man who represents Indonesia's future, not its past".

When the bodies of the seven male and two female soldiers were unloaded onto the tarmac at Sydney Airport, Susilo stood silently beside Howard and, to the surprise of those present, he laid Indonesia's Medal of Honor on top of each coffin that was wrapped with the Australian flag.

The medals for distinguished and gallant service were the first ever to be given to foreigners.

Again it was a gesture of significance to Australians never before performed by a foreigner on Australian soil.

Beyond these gestures, it would appear that Susilo knows exactly what he needs to step up the economic development of his country.

He came to Australia not to beg for assistance but to seek the return of foreign investors to Indonesia. He is determined to provide a firmer leadership with a more aggressive stance on tackling rising unemployment, corruption and terrorism.

He signed an agreement with Howard to open a new era in bilateral relationship that "will create a vast area of democratic peace and cooperation between the largest archipelago on the equator and the great continent down under".

He received a pledge that a new security agreement will be negotiated in the next few months.

He also received assurance from Australia that it will not support independence movements in the Indonesian provinces of West Papua and Aceh but will support the territorial integrity of Indonesia.

Susilo also spoke directly to investors and the business community, and got funding for 600 post-graduate scholarships for Indonesians to study in Australian universities.

That all these were agreed upon in such a short visit is indeed remarkable. And Susilo did it in a cordial manner without reopening old wounds.

But the real test on his action to woo Western society will depend, to some extent, on the perception of his own people. Will they accept what appears to be Australia's possible influence in their way of life?

Susilo has to win the hearts and minds of his own people but so far his visit to Australia has failed to excite the Indonesian media.