In less than 24 hours, Obama met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and together they launched a comprehensive partnership. He visited the Istiqlal Grand Mosque and gave a general lecture to a packed audience at the University of Indonesia. The threat of disruptions to flights in and out of Jakarta from volcanic ash from Mount Merapi forced him to skip a visit to Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.

He took off early. It might have been short, but it was still an effective visit.

The partnership is the most tangible result of the visit as it will provide for broader and deeper ties between the two countries. The visit to the mosque testified to his commitment to work to improve relations between the US and the Muslim world. But what impressed Indonesians the most were his speeches: a short one at the banquet hosted by Yudhoyono on Tuesday and a longer one at the University of Indonesia on Wednesday.

Other than impressing people with almost-flawless Indonesian in parts of his speeches, he convinced his hosts that a more democratic, prosperous and confident Indonesia should play a major role in global affairs. The best part of all was that he offered himself to help.

“Saya bagian dari Indonesia,” he said to the cheers and applause from the audience at the University of Indonesia. I am a part of Indonesia. Here is a US president making a personal commitment to help the country where he spent four formative years of his childhood.

Obama said what Indonesians wanted to hear on the growing importance of relations between Indonesia and the US, as Indonesia becomes a full-fledged democracy with increasing prominence in global political and economic affairs.  

We have heard repeatedly for years how Indonesia is important to US strategic interests, but we have yet to see this reflected in Washington’s policies. Obama is going to change all that, and, through the comprehensive partnership, assign Indonesia an importance commensurate with its increasing role in Asia and the world.

Obama may have come at a time when the countries are already enjoying their closest relations historically. But given his upbringing in Indonesia, he may be just the man that can bring bilateral ties to a whole new level.

Obama was sincere when he said that Indonesia and the US share more things in common than most people would admit. Having lived here and having learned about different cultures, he knows more than anyone what he is talking about. But as the two countries have learned due to the frequent intersection of their interests, bilateral relations have been enhanced because the nations share the same values and principles when it comes to democracy, freedom and pluralism.

If this has been partly a personal journey for Obama, Indonesia has acknowledged it with a warm welcome.

He recognized it when he said “Saya pulang kampung nih [I am coming home, guys]”. President Yudhoyono awarded the late Stanley Ann Dunham, Obama’s mother, with the Bintang Jasa Utama, the highest order of the meritorious services award given to foreign citizens. Dunham, who died in 1995, dedicated a large part of her career to Indonesia helping poor women through micro-financing schemes.

Relations between Indonesia and the US cannot get more personal than this. We thank Barry, as he is called by his Indonesian classmates, for bringing his own personal touches to bring bilateral relations to the appropriate level.

Things can only get better from here. We look forward to Obama returning to Indonesia next year, as he promised, for another homecoming — and hopefully for a longer stay.

Sampai jumpa.

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