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Para
Indonesianis yang kami hormati,
Friends
of Indonesia,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
1.
I
want to thank the organizers of this event for
inviting me to give this address this afternoon. I
thank Dr. Chris Manning and Dr. Ed Aspinall for
providing me with this opportunity to speak before
the Indonesian Study Group meeting at the
Australian National University. I am particularly
honored to see so many distinguished participants
here today, to listen about a topic that most of
you are perhaps already familiar with. Bear in
mind that a diplomat’s approach to every problem
is with an open mouth. So my promise to you is to
be brief on my presentation and I humbly request
your kind comments and suggestions in the
following discussions.
2.
Looking
around the room, I am pleased to see so many
familiar faces from different academic departments
of the ANU, including students from my own
country, coming together at this meeting to share
our particular knowledge and to see how we can
further enhance the already excellent bilateral
relations existing between Indonesia and
Australia. I
am very humbled to discuss this topic because it
encompasses the current vibrant relationship
between Indonesia and Australia and how this
relationship is shaping the Asia Pacific
neighborhood, a region to which we both belong.
3.
My
task here comes at a time where cooperation
between Indonesia and Australia is flourishing.
The foundations have been laid down, manifested in
the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive
Partnership, and it is now time to contribute to
its building block.
4.
Before
I proceed, perhaps to understand the role of
Indonesia-Australia relations and our Asia-Pacific
neighborhood - which is the topic of my
presentation - I should first explain
about the new Indonesia that I represent. Then,
briefly look into Indonesia’s role in the region
and in conclusion, touch on the relationship
between Indonesia and Australia.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
5.
We
must not forget that Indonesia is one of the most
pluralistic societies in the world, both
geographically and demographically. And as such,
viewed from any standard, Indonesia cannot be an
easy country to manage. But in spite of the
formidable hurdles the reform process has posed on
the Government, the new Indonesia of today has
gone far beyond the pessimism that confronted it
in the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis and
the subsequent political and economic crises.
6.
In
the ensuing years, Indonesia embarked upon the
process of democratization and has now become the
third largest democracy. The first direct
presidential election in mid-2004 marked a turning
point in Indonesia’s history. President
Yudhoyono, elected by the majority of the people,
enjoys greater constitutional legitimacy and as
such Indonesia now enjoys a stable government.
This wave of democratization has also paved the
way to amend the national Constitution, thus
ensuring that political power is now equally
shared among stakeholders. Parliament is now
stronger and has now indeed become more assertive.
The Government also took necessary measure to
create a more independent judiciary, and adopted a
more decentralized system of Government
compared to the strong centralized system
of the past.
7.
In
line with this democratization process, the
Indonesian Defense Force - the Tentara Nasional
Indonesia - also reformed itself and fundamental
changes have been introduced by the Government. By
way of Law No. 3
of 2002 the military (TNI) and the police force
have been separated. The TNI is no longer
responsible for the security aspect but rather for
the defense of the nation, whereas the National
Police is now the authority to deal with security.
8.
One
can also witness that presently, Indonesians can
discuss and debate any issue pertinent to their
daily lives and their future without fear of being
prosecuted. Not to mention the media which now
enjoys the freedom to print whatever they wish,
albeit sometimes at the expense of others. This,
to me, is the process of learning that we have to
undergo and the price that we are willing to pay
in order for democracy to mature.
9.
These
achievements have added confidence to
Indonesia’s ability to manage its own affairs
and in turn, have increased confidence in the
economy. In the economic field, a lively
atmosphere and an optimistic view has emerged as
recent indicators suggest :
-
present
gross domestic product surpassed the levels the
economy enjoyed before the financial crisis
amounting to US$280.9 billion (2005 est) as
compared to US$215 billion (1997);
-
gross
domestic product per capita reached US$1,237
billion (2005 est) as compared to US$1,070 (1997);
-
real
gross domestic product growth reached 5.7% (2005
est);
-
inflation
rate of 7.2% (2005);
-
unemployment
rate of 9.4% (2005 est).
10.
More
economic reform is on the table as just early this
month, the Coordinating Minister for Economic
Affairs Boediono announced a three-pronged
approach to get the economy moving faster. The
approach would include :
·
new
laws on investment, tax and labor as a way to
improve the investment climate;
·
acceleration
of key investment and infrastructure projects, and
·
increased
access to financing and reductions in the cost of
financing.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
11.
Indeed
the process of change in Indonesia is so
widespread and so substantial that some
international scholars on Indonesia call the
process “the great transition”. These changes
are in line with the Government’s Medium-Term
Development Plan (2005-2009) consisting of: firstly,
rebuilding and strengthening public institutions,
where socio-political development is considered as
important as economic development; and
secondly, balancing government-society
relations to reflect the increasing demands from
the community for the consolidation of political
and economic reform.
12.
The
first point encompasses measures to create a safe
and peaceful Indonesia, addressing crime,
including transnational crimes, as well as
sectarian and regional conflicts; while the second
point encompasses measures to consolidate
political and legal reforms, rebuild modern
institutions and good governance.
13.
Needless
to say, Indonesia still faces tremendous and
formidable challenges. Much still needs to be
done. Media reports of communal tensions,
religious radicalism and acts of terrorism in
Indonesia are seen as if these are daily
occurrences. However, all signs point to a
subsiding of these communal tensions and a
strengthening of religious moderation and
counter-terrorism measures.
14.
Let
me briefly also touch on the issue of national
threats that are directed to Indonesia’s
national unity. These are internal issues for
which we Indonesians have taken sole
responsibility. The Indonesian Government is
committed to resolving these issues not through
force but through a process of sincere dialogue
and reconciliation, through the fulfillment of
legitimate aspiration.
15.
Aceh
is a case in point when we signed the Memorandum
of Understanding in August 2005 with GAM.
Undoubtedly, without infringing on Indonesia’s
sovereignty, I am confident that with the support
and assistance of friends in the international
community, we will similarly be able to resolve
these issues successfully and, more importantly,
peacefully.
16.
I am
very optimistic about the progress that Indonesia
has made so far and the avenue that it has and is
undertaking for the betterment of the entire
people.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
17.
I do
not intend to dwell too much on Indonesia’s
independent and active foreign policy except to
say that this was the basis for Indonesia
conveningthe Asia-Africa Conference in 1955 which
ultimately gave birth to the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM). The more than one hundred member countries
of NAM became the largest political movement,
which was at the forefront in the struggle for
decolonization, development and disarmament.
18.
Moreover,
Indonesia, with its independent and active foreign
policy, is also a founder member of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
which in 1976 signed the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation as a mechanism to resolve conflicts in
the region by peaceful means. Based on the
principle of cooperation among its members as well
as between ASEAN and other countries, ASEAN
succeeded in creating a Zone of Peace, Freedom and
Neutrality, and an ASEAN Free Trade Area.
Furthermore, ASEAN also developed cooperation with
China, South Korea and Japan (ASEAN+3) and India.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is another
mechanism in the region to discuss security
issues. Most recently, ASEAN’s decision to
establish an ASEAN Community out of a community of
ASEAN nations was pioneered by Indonesia.
19.
Similarly,
Indonesia is participating actively in the APEC
and is one of the proponents of having the East
Asia Summit become inclusive. Indonesia therefore
supported the participation of Australia in this
process, firmly believing that Australia should be
part of this regional framework; for we are
confident that Australia has the capacity and will
contribute to regional security and prosperity.
20.
To
enhance cooperation among countries in the
Southwest Pacific region, Indonesia launched the
Southwest Pacific Dialogue (SwPD), and set up the
trilateral consultation between Indonesia,
Australia and Timor Leste, and has also become a
dialogue partner with the Pacific Islands Forum.
21.
It
is Indonesia’s view that through these
cooperative frameworks is what will ultimately
form the networks which would promote stability,
peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific
neighborhood.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
22.
Let
me now turn to the state of the relationship
between Indonesia and Australia. Definitely, the
relationship between Indonesia and Australia at
present is, I believe, is at its highest peak
ever. The state visit by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono to Australia on 3-5 April 2005 was a
very significant event to the extent that it
uplifted the already close relationship to a new
level.
23.
The
determination of our leaders to enhance the
already close relationship is clearly reflected in
the statement by PM John Howard during the
luncheon that the relations between our two
countries “…grow closer and deeper.” This
sentiment was also echoed by President Yudhoyono
by stating”…the
very purpose of my visit to your great country is
to affirm our special relations and to make it
even stronger…”
24.
Due
to our geographical proximity and from a strategic
point of view, there is no other option for us but
to cooperate and build closer relations between
our two countries. It should be guided by
acceptable roadmaps to minimize conflict and
misunderstandings emanating from differences, and
to capitalize on the shared objectives of
providing security and prosperity for the region.
For the short to medium term, we can be confident
of stable and productive relations due to the
excellent rapport between our Heads of Government
and the members of their cabinets.
25.
The
Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership
between Indonesia and Australia, signed by our two
leaders on 4 April 2005, reaffirmed the
determination to have the relations between our
two countries ‘grow closer and deeper’
covering a wide-ranging of cooperative
undertakings.
26.
The
Comprehensive Partnership is aimed at
strengthening relations in all aspects of life;
between governments, peoples and businesses,
covering cooperation in the fields of economics
and technical assistance, security, and
people-to-people interaction. In the security
field, transnational crimes, including terrorism,
continues to be a priority. Indonesia and
Australia will continue to forge close
partnerships between our police forces,
immigration and customs officials, as well as
security and intelligence agencies.
27.
What
is important in the Comprehensive Partnership is
the people-to-people links - the lynchpin of our
bilateral relationship. President Yudhoyono and
Prime Minister Howard expressed their
determination to encourage and strengthen the
links from both sides. Education was acknowledged
as central to people-to-people relations, and they
want to see an increased number of Indonesian
students studying in Australia. Against this
backdrop, we warmly welcome Australia's offer of
600 post-graduate AIPRD (Australian Indonesian
Partnership for Reconstruction and Development)
scholarships. To contribute to this noble
endeavor, President Yudhoyono decided to increase
Indonesia's scholarship intake from Australia from
three to fifty in a five year period.
28.
The
Comprehensive Partnership also encourages the
strongest possible links between the Indonesian
and Australian Parliaments. Closer interactions
between parliamentarians are fundamental to stable
long-term relations, which is particularly
important during sharp shifts in public opinion.
Last year we witnessed our Commission I (Defense,
Foreign Relations and Information) of the
Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) and
members of the new Regional Representatives
Council (DPD) visiting the Australian
Parliament.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
29.
Looking
towards the future of Australia - Indonesia
relations on a broader perspective, on the
regional front, Indonesia has always supported the
full integration of Australia into the region for
obvious reasons. Geography dictates that as
neighbors Indonesia and Australia should work
together to confront common threats and to develop
a stable, peaceful and prosperous region.
30.
One
example of cooperation that has been particularly
encouraging, if not legendary to some quarters, is
the relationship between the Australian Federal
Police (AFP) and the Indonesian National Police
(Polri) in tackling the problems of regional
terrorism and other transnational crimes. The
fruits of the cooperation between the two police
forces include tracking down the perpetrators of
the two Bali bombings, the Marriott Hotel bombing
and the bombing outside the Australian Embassy in
Jakarta. The establishment of the Jakarta Centre
for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) in 2004
also signifies the close cooperation between
Indonesia and Australia and the shared priority
given to bilateral and regional cooperation on a
variety of contemporary security issues.
31.
Another
pertinent example of cooperation is of course the
Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction
and Development forged in the aftermath of the
tsunami of 2004. Australia’s commitment to
Indonesia to a total of $ 1.8 billion over five
years will focus on economic reconstruction and
development in Indonesia. It is a program of
long-term, sustained cooperation and capacity
building.
32.
These
examples fortify my firm belief that there will be
no political stability and economic prosperity in
the region should Indonesia and Australia fail to
cooperate. This firm conviction has led Indonesia
to support the full integration of Australia into
the regional networks. It is indeed in the vital
interests of Indonesia to constructively engage
Australia, for politically, it may serve as the
bridge between the western-based civilization of
Australia with the eastern-based civilization of
Southeast Asian countries; whilst economically it
may prove to be the key to the survival of both
parties. It is also my hope that Australia should
always consider Indonesia as the gateway to the
region.
33.
It
is thus heartwarming that Australia has acceded to
the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation as the
TAC is perceived by ASEAN as the cornerstone for
future engagements in the region. Indonesia
therefore welcomed Australia’s participation in
the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur late last
year.
34.
It
is said that democracy works best in a democratic
environment. That is why Indonesia also supports
the promotion of democratic values in our regional
neighborhood through cooperative action in the
framework of ASEAN by promoting the shared values
so essential to the development of a regional
community as well as to the growth of democracy,
including respect for human rights.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
35.
I
would like to conclude my remarks by emphasizing
the need to understand the long journey Indonesia
is undertaking to reform and develop itself and
meet the challenges of today’s world. I do
acknowledge that Indonesia is still in its
transitional period, but I am very confident that
we are heading in the right direction. What
we need to do now is to attend to the deficiencies
of governance that even the most successful
democracies in the world are not entirely free of.
36.
Our
two Governments have been able to turn potential
areas of conflict into opportunities for
consultation and collaboration, with joint
initiatives resulting in formidable outcomes. The
relationship between Indonesia and Australia,
being that of close neighbors, will always require
effort and dedicated communication. There will
always be problems, but the deep mutual respect
our two countries share provides a firm basis for
managing sensitive issues in a way that
acknowledges both sides and optimizes the outcome
for all parties.
37.
We
are very grateful to friends that are always there
to assist us and together work as partners in
achieving our common endeavor. It is thus vital to
acknowledge the importance of the two nations and
their people in maintaining dialogue and close
consultation to avoid misunderstandings or
misperceptions in the future. For we
have today
an Indonesia that is capable and willing to engage
the international community in the common task of
building a better world. For this too is
Indonesia’s constitutional ideals and
aspirations.
I
thank you.
Canberra,
15 March 2006
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