As Garuda-01 flight took off from Tegel
International Airport, the Indonesian delegation members on board looked
outside their windows to watch Berlin fall behind. Two German Eurofighter
escorts approached each wing of the presidential aircraft.
Just the
night before, the International Turismo Borse was co-hosted by President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Western and eastern Europeans thronged the convention halls, enjoying a
musical serenade performed by Indonesian-German violinists and pianist
and various Indonesian dances.
Hours
earlier, SBY and Merkel, in the Bundeskanzleramt, discussed bilateral
cooperation and analyzed the regional and global situations. Both
leaders seemed very comfortable discussing various issues having met
several times at G20 summits and in Jakarta during Chancellor Merkel’s
visit in July 2012.
These small
and yet meaningful events indeed reflect much of what Indonesian
diplomacy, or total diplomacy, has achieved since the reforms. Back
in 1998, the world not only held its breath when watching Indonesia, but
also feared it might become a failed state or even disintegrate. Instead,
after 15 years of reform and transformation (and plenty of pending issues),
Indonesia has certainly remade herself.
With the
fourth largest population, a trillion-dollar economy (by purchasing power
parity), a model for democracy and moderate Islam, an annual US$60
billion rate of economic growth, and more importantly a foreign policy
that promotes stability, prosperity and justice, leaders from many
regions are viewing Indonesia
with great interest.
If anything
else, it could be seen as “hip” to befriend Indonesia: A good friend of
the West, the East, the Muslims and a country cognizant of the need for
cultural harmony, environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.
Seeing this recovery and political achievements, then how should the new
Indonesia look at international relations?
In response
to this, Diplomat-in-Chief and nominated International Statesman of 2013,
President SBY delivered on March 8 a lecture aboard Garuda-01 en route to
Dubai. The title of his airborne lecture was “Global governance, global power and the dynamic changing world”.
SBY began
with a description of the new world order, where the global dynamics have
made the G20 the new G7/8. He spoke of the importance of the United
Nations’ centrality to global governance, despite many countries calling
for greater action, especially by an disunited Security Council to end
the Syrian humanitarian tragedy.
He explained
about the many global powers, including the G2 (China/US), who are both
rivals but need one another. At the same time, regional powers
(ASEAN/EAS, EU, Latin America and Africa) also play a key role in
maintaining stability and economic growth and preventing disaster.
At the same
time, the new global architecture had also enlisted new (non-state)
actors, as “game-changers and
solidarity makers”. And now more and more silent forces are rising or
the “un-led people power” as witnessed in North Africa and the Middle
East, followed later by what SBY called “the workforce who are unemployed
and looking for justice”.
Through these
global and regional dynamisms, SBY wanted Indonesia to be alert, ready
and geared up for its new role in international relations. He stated that
domestically, it was imperative that Indonesia continued getting stronger
economically, democratically, politically and in terms of defense, and a
model of harmony between Islam and democracy, while promoting an
“Indonesian way” that resists global shocks.
This is the
duty of not one government and president, but every generation.
Regionally, the country should continue leading in economics, promoting
stability and shaping the region. Globally Indonesia is to continue
playing an active and positive role, as some analysts predict Indonesia
becoming the 10th largest world economy and, hence, a global power.
Consequently,
as Indonesia emerges as a regional leader and active global player, the
number of summits it has to attend increases, such as ASEAN twice a year,
the East Asia Summit, the G20, APEC and now as cochair of the United
Nations High-level Panel to formulate the post-2015 global development
agenda.
Whether or
not we positively accept this new altitude in international relations or
not does not matter anymore. The world sees Indonesia in a positive
light. World leaders like Obama, Cameron, Merkel, Erdogan, Ferdinand de
Kirchner, Abe, Hu and Lee perceive Indonesia as a partner. Indonesia’s
influence is spreading to the Americas, Europe, Africa and Central
Asia. Almost as if they seek the views of Indonesia on various
regional and global issues, if not her blessing.
In fact
countries large and small have received the same respect from Indonesia
as partners for global stability,
peace and prosperity.
And although
these upbeat diplomatic relations are a welcome outcome, global issues
like food, energy and water security for the expected 9 billion people in
2045 will still be a race for scarce resources for all countries. Hence,
it becomes even more critical for Indonesia to take advantage of this
positive momentum, standing at the right time in history to play a global
role as Indonesia approaches its centenary.
With income
per capita expected to reach $5,000 by 2014 (approaching $10,000 in
2020), Indonesia’s development could benefit not only itself, but also
the region and world as she joins the global powers.
But before
its diplomacy can further succeed, Indonesia must empower its expected
138 million middle class to face developing-country challenges, namely
poverty and inequality, corruption and good-governance. Ultimately, it is
important for Indonesia to secure its trajectory in international affairs.
Just as it
lifted off after a crisis 15 years ago, its flight plan must be precise
as it landing gears get ready. ●
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