Our 58th Independence Day

Our 58th Independence Day

On Sunday, Aug. 17, we Indonesians will commemorate the
country's 58th Independence Day. In the early morning hours of
Aug. 17, 58 years ago, two prominent leaders of the country's
independence movement, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, issued a terse
proclamation of the country's independence. The final draft was
completed after intense discussions among exponents of the
movement and representatives of the restless youth movement.

Today, however, as we approach the 58th anniversary of that
historic moment, it is not easy to define our thinking so shortly
after the tragic bomb explosion in front of a five-star
international hotel in Jakarta. The explosion devastated parts of
the JW Marriott Hotel and damaged office towers in the vicinity,
besides claiming the lives of 12 people and injuring 147 others.
It also caused a serious setback in the cautious optimism and the
growing self-confidence that had become apparent, just 10 months
after the devastating Bali bombing. Most probably, that was
precisely the objective of the perpetrators of the Marriott
bombing. Besides destroying valuable property and killing so many
human beings, they also intended to shatter the country's self-
confidence and create fear, thereby causing a widespread feeling
of uncertainty.

While the country seems to be adrift with uncertainty and the
national leadership is beset by internal squabbling among a
political elite that blatantly displays its greed, the question
arises of what our attitude should be as we commemorate the 58th
anniversary of independence. A discrepancy exists between the
growing concern of the general population and the cynicism of the
well-positioned, both in government and in the private sector.

The situation was vastly different 58 years ago. At that time,
a strong idealism prevailed among Indonesians, further fortified
by the conviction that an independent Indonesia would be capable
of restoring the dignity of the people and of bringing prosperity
to millions of Indonesians. The difficulties and obstacles that
had to be overcome were formidable, but the national leadership
under president Sukarno, vice president Mohamad Hatta and the
brilliant prime minister Sutan Sjahrir, who mastered the
intricate nuances of the then prevailing international political
situation, was confident that eventually the Netherlands would
relinquish its historical claim over its former colony and that
the international community would recognize the sovereignty of an
independent Indonesia.

An invitation from Ho Chi Minh, who proclaimed Vietnam's
independence on Sept. 8, 1945, in Hanoi, to "coordinate Vietnam's
and Indonesia's struggle against Western imperialism and
capitalism", was politely ignored by the Indonesian leadership on
the calculation that the Netherlands would yield sooner than the
French, whom the Vietnamese had to face. That prediction proved
accurate, and the Vietnamese situation took a turn for the worse
after one superpower, the United States -- with its formidable
military might -- became involved in the conflict.

In theory, Indonesia was thus in a much more advantageous
position than Vietnam, and even more so since in 1966 this
country embarked on a new phase in history with the emergence of
the New Order government under president Soeharto. After the
chaotic leadership of the aging president Sukarno collapsed,
political stability and economic rationality came to the
foreground. Economic aid, primarily from Western donor countries
and Japan, plus a dramatic increase in world oil prices, which
powered Indonesia as a net oil exporter, created a sort of
economic boom in this country. Rapid construction of the
country's neglected infrastructure, an adequate food supply,
improved education and public health care drew the world's
attention to the fact that a strong and modern Indonesia that
conducted a responsible foreign policy -- was emerging onto the
stage of world politics.

At present, however, the assessment of discrepancies between
Indonesia and Vietnam has become vastly different. Now the world
lauds Vietnam for its impressive economic growth, its domestic
political stability, its hard-working people and a government
that seems determined to eradicate corruption. And, most
importantly, no bombs have exploded in front of any five-star
hotels in Hanoi, or at the beach resorts near Hue.

Still, we might well ask ourselves if such a depressing
attitude is justified this Independence Day. It is interesting to
note the view that has been expressed by a number of foreign
economists -- such as Norbert Walter, the Deutsche Bank's chief
economist -- that Indonesia's economic growth is most probably
much higher than official statistics suggest. In a recent speech
in Jakarta, Dr. Walter said that the 20 percent increase in
electricity consumption did not match the 4 percent economic
growth figure forecast for 2004. Hubert Neiss, who was previously
with the International Monetary Fund in charge of Indonesia, is
also of the view that Indonesia's economic growth is probably
higher than officially estimated.

All these positive signals, however, are obviously dependent
on the continued existence of a favorable international climate,
a firm national leadership that maintains political stability,
and a sound macroeconomic policy. The most significant conclusion
that we can draw from the views expressed by international
experts is that in reality, the working zeal and the innovative
capabilities of the Indonesian population have remained high.
That means that there is in fact no justification for pessimism,
provided that the national leadership maintains a clear vision
and the political elite refrains from making insensible moves in
the months ahead, pending the onset of the national elections.

As we commemorate our 58th Independence Day, let us nurture a
quiet confidence while retaining a sense of realism in facing a
difficult future. The exquisite line from the Indonesian national
anthem provides us with an invigorating inspiration: "Let her
spirit arise for Great Indonesia."