Letter: Excelling on domestic, foreign fronts

This is a comment on the article “Debating Indonesia’s global role,” (The Jakarta Post, March 10, p. 3).
I don’t see why we can’t excel in both domestic and foreign policy. With the Internet and global communication, the world is becoming really flat.
It’s a matter of timing and priority. First we must get better domestically. Once the ball is rolling, it’s just a matter of time before we grab the spotlight.
Think about it — there aren’t many countries with such a large population and vast amounts of natural resources. Not even China. With the ability to become the world’s supplier in many aspects (human and natural resources), becoming one of the world’s powerhouses is not too far-fetched.
Only then will our global role and voice be respected. The question is, what will it take and how long will it take to achieve such status? In my opinion, there are three things that will catapult the process to a new level:
First, strengthen and enforce the law. For example: Death penalty for corruption, and add “0” to all punishments (i.e., instead of three years in prison, make it 30).
Second, speed up the education process and focus on subjects that matter to the world, like science and communication skills. Replace all bullsh*t school subjects like civics, history and religious studies with things that are more practical.
Third, make English an obligatory second language. In this global economy, the standard language is already set – it’s English. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.
Of course these are just examples. If Indonesia focuses only on the few things that really matter, in the next five to 10 years its voice will be heard by the world, guaranteed.

Leon Krishnayana
Washington