Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, a professor in international relations from Parahyangan University in Bandung, told The Jakarta Post that although the president had conveyed positive messages in relation to international relationship in his speech, the policies at home had yet to reflect his good intention.

“Foreign policy begins at home,” he said, “when human rights issues are still a major problem in the country, I think it’s awkward to talk about upholding democracy in the international face.”

In his speech delivered during an inauguration ceremony at the People’s Consultative Assembly office in Jakarta, Yudhoyono said he would continue to practice “a free and active politics, fighting for justice and world peace”.

“Indonesia will cooperate with anyone with the same intentions and goals to build a peaceful, just, democratic and prosperous world,” he said.

Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Usman Hamid, urged the government to continue with the agenda stipulated in the National Plan for Action on Human Rights (RANHAM), which is due in five years.

“The government still has the obligation to solve past human rights abuses; this is the root of the problem in which the people’s fundamental rights and freedom are neglected,” he told the Post.
The country’s second biggest Islamic group, Muhammadiyah, urged Yudhoyono to realize the promises he said in his speech.

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said the speech was impressive, but highlighted that
the nation “is waiting for the realization”.

“The agenda with the highest urgency is to implement the programs that aim to empower and improve the welfare of the people in the grass root level, improvement of public services and corruption eradication,” he said in a press release received by Post.

Masdar Farid Mas’udi, deputy chairman of the country’s largest Islamic organization Nadhlatul Ulama, said, however, that he was optimistic that Yudhoyono will be able to realize his promises.

“We believe that with the help of people from all levels of the civil society, he will be able to realize his promises he has been making since his campaign,” he added.

“He will also be able to build the ground for an advanced and democratic Indonesia, which is the world’s largest Muslim country, and lead Indonesia to becoming a country of justice and respect for pluralism.”

Yudhoyono stressed in his speech that Indonesia is a country of pluralism.

“Our Indonesian identity is reflected in our pluralism or our unity in diversity, our politeness, tolerance and moderateness, openness and humanitarian senses,” Yudhoyono said.

Banyu said in order to achieve his goals in maintaining good international relationships, Yudhoyono had to make use of all the components in the society that can help forge the country’s diplomacy.

“Now the question is, how far will the next foreign minister make use of our resources of NGOs and qualified civil societies?” He asked.

Banyu also said that global issues related a lot to the country’s policies in defense and security.

He hoped that the next defense minister would be from a civilian background who has the competency. (adh)

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