Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 11/04/2010 10:07 AM
Many observers have dismissed it as something of an anticlimax when President Barack Obama finally visits Indonesia next week after canceling twice this year.
The novelty that comes from the fact that he spent four years of his childhood here is virtually gone. His Indonesian background had earlier raised so many expectations that he would take relations between Indonesia and the United States to a new higher level. That is not the case anymore.
When Obama comes to Indonesia, it may be partly more of an emotional trip for him personally. But as far as bilateral ties are concerned, the impact will probably be limited, certainly not as huge as many had expected when he became president back in 2009.
But then, that is just as well. The good news is that Indonesia and the United States are already forging closer ties, probably reaching their historic best today, in spite of Obama’s presidency, and in spite of him twice letting down his Indonesian hosts.
The two countries, which historically have had their share of tensions and conflicts, are interacting and cooperating like they never have before in almost all fields, in politics and security, the economy, and in social-cultural fields such as education and health, as well as in cutting-edge issues like climate change and fighting terrorism.
This strengthening of bilateral relations precedes Obama’s 2008 elections. In other words, it would have happened with or without Obama in the White House.
The two countries have moved on from the time when antiterrorism was the single overriding issue that defined relations between the two countries in the early years of George W. Bush’s presidency. Some of the tributes go to US ambassador Cameron Hume, who left this year, for convincing Washington to turn on its soft power, including economic aid, rather than hard power, in pursuing ties with Indonesia.
Today, relations are much broader in scope and also deeper than they have ever been in the past, so much so that the two countries have agreed to put all of them under the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement which will be signed during Obama’s visit.
Besides bringing all existing cooperation programs under one umbrella, the agreement has the potential of identifying new areas where the two countries can work together. As Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa earlier this year said about relations between Indonesia and the US: “The best is yet
to come.”
But why the relations between Indonesia and the US have improved to unprecedented levels now, and not earlier?
For one, they find more and more of their strategic interests intersecting in many areas, like the global economy, climate change, and in Asia, the changing geopolitical constellations brought about by the rapid rise of China and the decline of Japan.
But even more important is the fact that the world today is dealing with an Indonesia far different from 12 years ago when it was ruled by a dictator.
Indonesia is a democracy, not a perfect one, but where its society is far more open, and its leaders and people today are more confident and comfortable in addressing any issues that other countries want to raise and discuss.
If human rights, military impunity, and problems in Papua as well as rapid deforestation are of concern, Indonesia is not only prepared to discuss them, it also welcomes assistance in finding the solutions. In the past, such issues would have been considered taboo and too sensitive and outsiders risked being accused of poking their nose into Indonesia’s internal affairs.
Obama’s personal emotional ties with Indonesia, as important as it is to both countries, should not cloud the fact that relations between Indonesia and the United States are already well on their way up.
Rather than the one who triggers relations to a higher level, Obama’s visit will be more like putting the icing on the cake. The cake already tastes good without it, but the sugar icing helps to improve the presentation.
