The rich and the poor need to balance views

Harry Bhaskara, Davos, Switzerland

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, the Davos spotlight this year has been turned on Africa, leaving Asia behind, despite the fact that poverty, hunger and AIDS, which were cited as the main factors for focusing on Africa, are not alien to Asia.

But when the powerful have spoken, nothing can be done about it, and hence Asia, including Indonesia, had better take comfort in do-it-yourself indulgence. This is the terse message coming out from Davos this year.

Whatever the cynics may say about the annual gathering -- there has also been a rival meeting held in Porto Alegre, Brazil -- the fact remains that Davos has been the venue where the rich and powerful meet for more than 30 years. By any standard, this is an achievement in itself. Organized by the World Economic Forum, a Swiss-based foundation led by Klaus Schwab, this year it consists of about 300 sessions over five days involving more than 2,200 participants.

Over time, the annual gathering in this Swiss ski resort has turned into a rich countries' get-together, and justly so. Alas, its initiator is based in Switzerland. Representatives from Asia account for only 16 percent of all those in attendance. The forum's culture and atmosphere are definitely Western, but Asian leaders appear unfazed.

"The atmosphere is very egalitarian," Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the conference "During security checks, every participant is treated equally, including ministers."

Razak, perhaps out of Asian "politeness", appeared to be unaware that certain Asian ministers had sought to be treated differently.

Asian feudalism aside, Davos offers many advantages. The nature of the gathering is informal and the atmosphere relaxed. It is a good place to iron out the sort of complex issues that are normally debated in formal environments. Hence, Davos complements the other, more formal meetings of world leaders as it offers an amazing range of opportunities in such a short space of time.

Would it help to increase Asia's representation at the meeting? Definitely. Half the world's population lives in Asia. Some Asian developing countries are beginning to emulate China and India as they stride forward. Sessions dedicated to these countries were sandwiched between those devoted to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Japan, Chile and Switzerland, among others. Not a single session was focused on Indonesia, except for the tsunami session which also embraced other countries affected by the December disaster in the Indian Ocean.

Ample lessons can be learned from Pakistan. Its dynamic prime minister, Shaukat Azis, was accompanied by five other ministers. A frequent Davos participant since his days at Citibank, Azis held 60 (group or one-on-one) meetings in his three days in Davos.

But the more pertinent question perhaps is what message to convey in Davos. This year, although Indonesia was scantily represented, the message was loud and clear. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie and his entourage of ministers, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu, brought the message from a new Indonesia which is determined to push ahead with its political and social reforms.

Minister-cum-businessman Aburizal was also accompanied by prominent Indonesian businessmen, including James Riady, Husodo Angkosubroto, Iman Taufik, Suryo Sulisto and Didie Soewondho. By nature, businessmen seem to move quicker than bureaucrats.

Davos has the reputation of seeing the world from the perspective of the developed countries. An enhanced presence by Indonesia and other Asian countries would help counterbalance this.

Perhaps this is the essence of the message that should be brought to Davos. Globalization is good but it also brings with it destitution in some parts of the world. The international trade system is rapidly consolidating but it needs to be more equitable, particularly as regards the farm trade. Indonesia needs to harmonize its approach with its neighbors in order to bring the common concerns of Asia to the attention of the rich.

Domestically, Indonesia needs to assert itself. The government needs to engage in more dialogs with local NGOs. The country cannot afford the risk of a leadership rift, as appeared to be the case between Susilo and Jusuf Kalla in the handling of the disaster in Aceh last month. Leaders need to make a choice: To remain acolytes at the alter of power for power's sake or to work for the good of the people. As many parts of Asia move into the ascendancy, time is short for Indonesia. It can no longer indulge itself in the luxury of indifference toward the world community and toward its own people, as it did in the past. This is the challenge that now awaits Susilo.

The author is a staff writer for The Jakarta Post. The Post was in Davos with the support of Star Alliance and Holcim Group Co. within the framework of the Asia News Network, of which the Post is a founding member.