Although issues such as the Bali Nine, boat people or illegal fishing are highlighted in both Australian and Indonesian media, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd are urged to focus on strengthening relations between the two countries.
Yudhoyono leaves for the Australian capital Monday on a four-day visit to the neighboring country to meet with Rudd, to discuss statistic points on relatively low trade and investment, cultural relations between the two countries and the huge potential both have in those fields.
“Although we can’t gain trust overnight, the visit will be a golden opportunity for Yudhoyono to raise awareness in Australia that Indonesia matters and has good intentions for the benefit of both countries,” Alexius Jemadu, the University of Pelita Harapan’s School of Political and Social Sciences dean, said.
He said that Yudhoyono could explain to Australia that Indonesia was a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and other security threats, including illegal fishing and people smuggling, both big issues in the Australian media.
“We must acknowledge that Indonesians and Australians regard each other suspiciously,” Alexius said. “This distrust has negatively affected economical and social relations.”
A poll by the Lowy Institute think-tank shows more than half of the Australian population do not trust Indonesia to act responsibly in the world, and polling in Indonesia suggests the lukewarm feelings are
mutual.
Fergus Hanson, research fellow at the Lowy Institute, wrote in The Australian newspaper that Australia does more trade with New Zealand, which has less than 2 percent of Indonesia’s population and an economy one-fifth its size.
“While government relations are better, there’s a tendency to focus on negative issues such as terrorism, people-smuggling and illegal fishing,” Hanson wrote.
He said that the relationship presented a serious challenge because Indonesia mattered to Australia, and its importance would probably increase.
“It’s time for a rethink of our approach and some major leadership gestures,” Hanson said.
He said Australia and Indonesia should seek to agree on a new approach to public diplomacy.
“Canberra could take the somewhat unorthodox step of committing itself to promoting an accurate, broader-based and positive image of Indonesia in Australia, with Jakarta agreeing to do the same in the other direction,” he said.
Hanson said that Australia’s relationship with its most important neighbor was in a serious rut.
“If it is to be improved, then major leadership gestures will be needed.”
Concurring with Hanson, Alexius also said that Yudhoyono’s visit was a symbolic visit for the Indo-nesian leader after the investigation on the Bank Century bailout by the House of Representatives was over.
“Yudhoyono would like to say that despite the Bank Century bailout, he would commit to raise people’s welfare through the visit.
“The meeting is about how to gain economic benefits and foster security cooperation,” he said.
Alexius also said that Yudhoyono believed he could take care of domestic problems during his stay in Australia.
