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I left
Jakarta in May 2008 after completing my three-year tenure as Korean ambassador
to Indonesia. In July, I visited Jakarta with the aim of observing the
political, economic and social changes in this country.
As a research professor, I met many people and all the conversations I shared with them ended up turning to the elections, legislative and presidential, due to be held in Indonesia next year.
Many changes, for better or worse, have taken place in the last five years, of which the following, I believe, warrant the greatest attention.
Above all, the process of democratization has been further institutionalized. It is particularly worthy of note that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has, with overwhelming public support, shown greater vitality and ever expanding capabilities.
Of course, this does not indicate that there has been a decline in corruption. However, the KPK does not have any equivalent institution in other ASEAN states – a state institution that brings corrupt senior government officials, governors, military generals and high-ranking police officers to court.
In addition, the press and NGOs continue to enjoy a high level of freedom. Journalists and NGOs have risked their lives to bring the wrongdoings, illegal acts and corruption of the powerful to light. Indeed, some of them have been terrorized.
Their courage has been paid off in that the corrupt seem to be finding it harder and harder to find sanctuary in this country.
Democratization cannot be achieved overnight, but there has been a steady increase in public awareness of democracy and in anticorruption efforts.
Second, the Indonesian presidential election seems likely to be free from the fear of family politics, competition with the military, ideological dilemma or one-party or oligarchic dominance.
According to a The Jakarta Post report, almost all public polls in recent months found that if the presidential election were to take place today, a “new face” would certainly win. The appearance of a new face is seldom in this region.
Most national leaders in the Southeast Asian region have tended to be selected from a group of “old faces” or the political establishment, the system that presents voters with very limited options to choose from.
However, the Indonesian people will be presented with a wide range of options next year.
Moreover, I am greatly impressed that they stand ready to face the high risk of possible turbulence under a new leadership. Indonesia has been proud of being one of the largest democratic countries in the world. I believe now that the democratic progress achieved here has moved faster than in any neighboring countries.
Third, foreign investment has returned. A surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) has been evident in recent years. Korean investment in Indonesia has marked a sixfold increase over the past five years: from about US$300 million in 2008 to $1.95 billion in 2012.
Last year, Japan and the US invested $2.45 billion and $1.23 billion respectively.
Moreover, there has been a shift in investment for the exploration of raw materials (i.e. mining) to the manufacturing industry. POSCO of Korea and Krakatau Steel of Indonesia have almost completed the construction of an integrated steel mill valued at $6 billion in Cilegon, Banten.
Japan and America mainly focus on the automobile manufacturing industry. I have heard that most Japanese automakers, together with the manufacturers of parts and components, have moved to this country. Steel mill and auto-making are key elements in the manufacturing industry.
The Indonesian government has come up with an economic strategy to develop the manufacturing industry as a priority (MP3EI). There will be various challenges ahead in implementing such a shift in industrial policy.
However, a grand design and vision has now been presented for the future of the Indonesia economy, which has been well-received by foreign businesses.
Fourth, terrorism is firmly rejected in this society. When I was here, foreigners, especially Westerners, were scared following a series of terrorist acts in Bali and Jakarta. At the time, there were signs of suspicion and fear within the foreign community that this society might be too lenient toward terrorism by religious extremists who claimed to be acting out of faith. Now it seems that such doubts are gone in Indonesia.
Westerners are now even expanding their investment and activities in rural areas, which was not possible in the past.
Lastly, the traffic situation in Jakarta has developed from bad to worse. It was already worsening and several measures and plans were tabled when I was here. However, none of the plans were put in action despite noticeable surges of automobiles on the streets. This issue should be addressed as a matter of priority.
I will keep watching with great interest the changes in Indonesia, in particular after the elections next year. And I will do so with the great excitement that I used to feel in watching vibrant Korea in the 1980s and a fast-growing China in the 1990s. ●
As a research professor, I met many people and all the conversations I shared with them ended up turning to the elections, legislative and presidential, due to be held in Indonesia next year.
Many changes, for better or worse, have taken place in the last five years, of which the following, I believe, warrant the greatest attention.
Above all, the process of democratization has been further institutionalized. It is particularly worthy of note that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has, with overwhelming public support, shown greater vitality and ever expanding capabilities.
Of course, this does not indicate that there has been a decline in corruption. However, the KPK does not have any equivalent institution in other ASEAN states – a state institution that brings corrupt senior government officials, governors, military generals and high-ranking police officers to court.
In addition, the press and NGOs continue to enjoy a high level of freedom. Journalists and NGOs have risked their lives to bring the wrongdoings, illegal acts and corruption of the powerful to light. Indeed, some of them have been terrorized.
Their courage has been paid off in that the corrupt seem to be finding it harder and harder to find sanctuary in this country.
Democratization cannot be achieved overnight, but there has been a steady increase in public awareness of democracy and in anticorruption efforts.
Second, the Indonesian presidential election seems likely to be free from the fear of family politics, competition with the military, ideological dilemma or one-party or oligarchic dominance.
According to a The Jakarta Post report, almost all public polls in recent months found that if the presidential election were to take place today, a “new face” would certainly win. The appearance of a new face is seldom in this region.
Most national leaders in the Southeast Asian region have tended to be selected from a group of “old faces” or the political establishment, the system that presents voters with very limited options to choose from.
However, the Indonesian people will be presented with a wide range of options next year.
Moreover, I am greatly impressed that they stand ready to face the high risk of possible turbulence under a new leadership. Indonesia has been proud of being one of the largest democratic countries in the world. I believe now that the democratic progress achieved here has moved faster than in any neighboring countries.
Third, foreign investment has returned. A surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) has been evident in recent years. Korean investment in Indonesia has marked a sixfold increase over the past five years: from about US$300 million in 2008 to $1.95 billion in 2012.
Last year, Japan and the US invested $2.45 billion and $1.23 billion respectively.
Moreover, there has been a shift in investment for the exploration of raw materials (i.e. mining) to the manufacturing industry. POSCO of Korea and Krakatau Steel of Indonesia have almost completed the construction of an integrated steel mill valued at $6 billion in Cilegon, Banten.
Japan and America mainly focus on the automobile manufacturing industry. I have heard that most Japanese automakers, together with the manufacturers of parts and components, have moved to this country. Steel mill and auto-making are key elements in the manufacturing industry.
The Indonesian government has come up with an economic strategy to develop the manufacturing industry as a priority (MP3EI). There will be various challenges ahead in implementing such a shift in industrial policy.
However, a grand design and vision has now been presented for the future of the Indonesia economy, which has been well-received by foreign businesses.
Fourth, terrorism is firmly rejected in this society. When I was here, foreigners, especially Westerners, were scared following a series of terrorist acts in Bali and Jakarta. At the time, there were signs of suspicion and fear within the foreign community that this society might be too lenient toward terrorism by religious extremists who claimed to be acting out of faith. Now it seems that such doubts are gone in Indonesia.
Westerners are now even expanding their investment and activities in rural areas, which was not possible in the past.
Lastly, the traffic situation in Jakarta has developed from bad to worse. It was already worsening and several measures and plans were tabled when I was here. However, none of the plans were put in action despite noticeable surges of automobiles on the streets. This issue should be addressed as a matter of priority.
I will keep watching with great interest the changes in Indonesia, in particular after the elections next year. And I will do so with the great excitement that I used to feel in watching vibrant Korea in the 1980s and a fast-growing China in the 1990s. ●
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