Your comments on the state visit of US President Barack Obama, who spent several years of his childhood in Jakarta, and your expectations of his visit to Indonesia.
Obama’s school visit: US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talk with students during a visit to Holy Name High School in Mumbai, India, on Sunday. AP/Charles Dharapak
I do hope the visit can improve his and his fellow Americans’ understanding of our people and our country’s sincere effort to build our own democracy, which is based
on internal demand, and compatible with the positive aspects of our
culture, and can work alongside the fact that we are at the same time home to the world’s largest Muslim population.
Just like the US, Indonesia, I believe, has its own manifest-destiny that its people and leaders need to figure and work out.
Dyah Widiastuti
London
We, the Indonesian people, expect Obama’s visit will improve relations between the US and our country. We can take advantage from this visit to develop our country.
Fitri Tidar
Pangkalpinang, Bangka
I hope that this time there will be no more delays if he really
wants to make better ties with Indonesian people.
Lies Setiawati
Jakarta
I hope Obama’s first state visit to Indonesia as the US President will stimulate and awaken our nation’s constructive senses that nothing in this world should stop growing.
Obama is living proof of how a child, no matter how they are raised, can grow and transform into a very influential individual through struggle.
So, let’s stop talking too much and complaining, do more and let the world watch us grow!
Devi Triana
Depok, West Java
Hopefully he can help us to solve many problems that are happening in Indonesia.
Joe
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara
There is nothing we can expect from his visit and Indonesian people should not expect anything. So, just act normally.
Sari
Jakarta
Barack Obama has failed to unite the people of the US. This fact is true as the election held this week showed how people are frustrated and done with his spending ethics that have almost crippled the USA.
Now that he has failed he wants to finally come to Indonesia. Why? Are you trying to spread your lies on reform here?
No thank you, sir, but go back to Kenya where you were really born.
B.R.
South Jakarta
The visit of Obama to Indonesia is nothing but a waste of our country’s resources to tighten security.
Komal Sharma
Jakarta
President Barack Obama, who attended primary school in Jakarta for several years, intended to visit Indonesia soon after his inauguration as US President.
At that time his planned visit was enthusiastically welcomed by most Indonesians.
After several disappointing cancellations, his coming visit seems just a routine matter without any suspense. Only some demonstrators will show special interest.
Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta
Let President Obama enjoy his past memories of his childhood in Jakarta. It’s human. However, now he is not a Menteng child any more. He is the president of a powerful country that intends to keep peace all over the world.
When visiting Indonesia, please convince us that he is really serious about serving the world as a peacemaker as well as a peace lover. Throw away hypocrisy that was once shown by the former president.
Also get rid of the double-standard policies. We love peace as he and the Americans do, so do the Palestinians.
Welcome home to Menteng, President Obama!
Ahmad Ghozali
Majalengka
I hope young Indonesians will be able to learn from Obama. He spent several years in Jakarta and now has become the US President. You have to keep struggling to achieve success.
Dede Lesmana
Tangerang, Banten
Barack Obama, as anak Menteng as well as the 44th President of the US, is always welcome to Indonesia. We expect his visit will lead us toward a fully grown Pancasila nation.
Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta
