The Corby case: A lesson in patience for Indonesia
Desi Anwar Jakarta
For those Australians who have been ranting and raving against Indonesia over the Schapelle Corby case (and one would prefer to believe it is just all a media hype) rest assured that we in Indonesia are not rubbing our hands with glee at the prospect of seeing a pretty young woman thrown in jail. As a matter of fact most Indonesians harbor no ill-feeling, thoughts of vengeance or any kind of interest at all in the affair other than viewing it as yet another drug smuggling case in a country already rife with drug crimes not to mention a host of other much more serious problems too numerous to mention.
However, for the record, even if Indonesia is a relatively new democracy and our legal system is still far from perfect, contrary to what some Australians seem to think, we do have a rule of law here, based strangely enough, on solid evidence (e.g. a bagful of marijuana) and not on some theatrically loud protestations of innocence however heart-wrenching.
A more fruitful use of time and energy would be to find and get a confession from the baggage handler who planted the drug in Corby's belonging if that were the case, rather than taking it out on an entire nation that is quite happy minding its own business, thank you very much.
As for the Indonesian government, there is absolutely no reason to be provoked by or even dignify this latest onslaught of Indonesia-bashing exercise with any kind of response other than to let our neighbor down under wallow in their lower chakra emotions in which they seem to have a propensity in indulging.
Perhaps the imagination of some of our best friends there have been influenced too much by telenovellas or reality TV shows, but it is hard to believe that they would descend to such depths of hysteria if, for example, Corby were not a young, pretty female (and a beautician to boot!) but actually a fat, balding, middle- aged male drunkard without a future.
No doubt that a script is already underway for the making of the Corby film and one can be sure it would be a lot more tragic (with an array of Hollywood cast) than the story about the poor Indonesian fisherman who died in the Australian police custody.
On the contrary, Indonesia should actually sympathize with the fact that her neighbor seems to be perpetually under some sort of delusion that their so-called public opinion matter in the way this country is run. Which is a pity, as this sort of wishful thinking could only lead to disappointment. We know there are a lot of things wrong in this country, not to mention simply weird, but taking the hint that Indonesian justice doesn't appreciate being meddled with, might just go a long way in not jeopardizing Corby's future even more.
Indonesians shouldn't be upset either about Australians boycotting Bali. Giving the island a bit of a break from rowdy backpackers is not necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, it would give more room for those nouveaux riches from mainland China and Taiwan who actually seem to enjoy spending their dollars more than sunbathing on the beach, or for the real Europeans from the West who display by far better appreciation of the local culture and possessing finer sensibilities than their more uncouth counterparts from down under.
As for those Australians requesting the return of their tsunami aid donation (we note that Russell Crowe the actor is one of them), I would suggest the Indonesian government did so forthwith and every penny of it. Not because Crowe's legs looked especially pleasing in a Roman tunic, but it would be embarrassing to keep a donation so insincerely given and with so many strings attached, not to mention the bad karma we have to carry if we were to spend money that is laden with so much ill- feeling and negativity. After all what country would want to face the ire of a silver screen gladiator?
Moreover, it is brought home to us that some Australians are now beginning to emulate the actions of a few of our more deranged members of society, namely acts of terrorism. Again, in dealing with this as with all unenlightened behavior, we can only resort to, not anger and revenge, but a lot of patience and understanding while hoping that this is only a temporary madness.
Let us watch with amusement (if not bemusement) when Australians march on Corby's birthday. We mustn't after all deny them their hunger for a cause celebre and their need for an inspirational figure. Quite the opposite, we should urge Corby's defense counsel to seek a presidential pardon pronto.
What with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's sweet disposition towards Australia and his willingness to bend over backwards to attract any scrap of potential foreign investment, he most probably be more than happy to grant it.
And who knows, given Corby's increasing popularity and political significance, we might just see her as the next Prime Minister of Australia.
The writer is an is an Indonesian journalist.