We know the reasons behind the second cancellation of US President Barack Obama’s long-awaited visit. We also know the level of disappointment caused by this inevitable decision. After months of waiting, Indonesia was getting ready for the return of Obama to Jakarta for the first time in 39 years after spending four years of his childhood here. While the reasons for the cancellation are clear to most people, the implications of a second failure to keep his promise are less so.
The plans for Obama’s trip to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand have been in doubt for more than a week, when BP’s containment efforts continued to come up short in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill saga. That would have stymied the chance to stop the oil gusher before August when relief wells are estimated to be completed. As an ad hoc measure, a few days ago, BP succeeded in an engineering scheme to contain the oil spill. However, the effectiveness of the cap may not be clear for several days. These are crucial days for America and a severe test of its political, financial and engineering capacity. The obvious answer is that the president should stay with his people.
On the Indonesian side, there is disappointment that Obama will not be here in June to reaffirm the common goals of the US and Indonesia. His visit would have come at a time when we all need restrengthening. We are hopeful that mutual inspiration would arise between the people of the two nations. This has been the common belief, but there is question whether that belief would be realized in the specific circumstances at this particular point in time.
President Obama is not fit to travel now, politically speaking. He is facing a prolonged reality check starting with his travails over the healthcare bill and his inability to deliver on security-related issues.
For those who do not believe in him, Obama has been reduced to a mere mortal, greatly weakened from the man who won the elections by a landslide. Most of the challenges do not come from his own doing, such as the BP oil spill. But they weaken him nevertheless, and pose a compelling priority to be emphasized by staying physically close to the problem.
There have been disappointments on both sides, painful reality checks. As spring in Obama’s country turns to summer, the spring of democracy in Indonesia is giving way to a long hot summer of political acrimony. Even as our electoral system matures, Indonesian politicians cast doubt on the efficacy of our democracy. Obama’s boyhood country has not really grown up. Ten years ago, Gus Dur joked that the House of Representatives (DPR) was like a kindergarten. It is still a kindergarten, grown more raucous because the teacher does not seem to be there.
With Sri Mulyani Indrawati gone, the Golkar Party is continuing their quest for an “aspiration fund” — a proposal to allocate Rp 8.4 trillion (US$15.6 million) to legislators to develop their election areas — an obvious cover for political slush funds. It would be naïve to suppose that the money will reach the intended targets beneficiaries. Actually the Golkar proposal is consistent with what seems to be ingrained in the party’s DNA, that is to blur the border between accountable state funds and political money.
The brazen swagger of party politicians is just a special edition of Golkar’s time-tested way of pushing the envelope of public decency. Since the President revealed his weakness by allowing his star Cabinet member Sri Mulyani to leave, the celebrations of the political victors have been unbounded. The ruling coalition’s controversial joint secretariat controlled by Golkar chairman Aburizal Bakrie has backed the proposal to grant each House legislator a Rp 15 billion fund.
There has been a different reaction to Obama’s cancellation in Australia, another stop on Obama’s excursion to this part of the world, little known here in Indonesia. Some Australians say the change in plans is not due to the BP oil spill. Some newspapers have pointed the finger directly at Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as the reason for Obama’s decision to cancel. The alleged reason is that Obama does not want to be identified with a leader who is a political loser. Recently praised as one of the most popular prime ministers in the country’s history, Rudd is facing the collapse of his support base. His personal rating has sunk to 36 percent from a record high of 67 percent.
As a reason for Obama’s cancellation, this Australian explanation is whimsical. But it raises question where the rating of our President stands. If it were still above 60 percent we probably would not be seeing evidence of political weaknesses on his part, dictated by Aburizal Bakrie at every turn. We hope there is no cause for alarm. After all, the government dismissed proposal for the so-called aspiration fund, saying it would be “unnecessary”. While Coordinating Economy Minister Hatta Rajasa said Friday,”It may cause a confusion in the relationship between the executive and legislative”. Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said in Monday’s plenary session at the House the proposal might violate some regulations. He cited the potential of violating the 2003 State Finance Law, the 2004 State Treasury Law, the 2004 Local Government Law and the 2004 Law on Financial Balance between Central and Local Governments.
At this point the government takes a firm stand. They need to maintain this defense of good governance, and to this purpose the cancellation of President Obama’s visit is well worth to be taken in stride.
The writer is a public relations consultant with InterMatrix Communications.
