Readers’ Outlook: It is time to build the people

As 2011 comes to an end, Indonesia will soon close the book on a tumultuous and fast-moving year. This year has seen the end of the space shuttle and an ongoing economic crisis in the eurozone that has catapulted the Asian region to even more global attention.

On Jan. 25, 2012, Indonesia will be marking its second year since the foreign policy motto of “one thousand friends and zero enemies” was implemented by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa during his annual speech.

There is no denying that Indonesia has increased its role significantly in international politics. Indonesia’s economy continues to become stronger as many foreign investors view the country as possessing relatively good economic value and potential. Regardless of the many improvements and spirit that Indonesia exudes in attempting to become a global player, the nation still has many domestic problems.

Domestic issues in Indonesia are repetitive. Sadly, nothing has changed, despite Indonesia showing significant progress and earning international recognition for its efforts. This raises the question of why this country has become stagnant domestically. It seems that Indonesia is busy developing its infrastructure and its international image, but not doing enough to develop its people.

Indonesia faced a series of corruption cases this year, which linked to many government officials. The people who should have been examples to their citizens are the ones who exemplify how badly Indonesians lack integrity.

It’s not enough for the Indonesian government to have a program eradicating corruption because as sad as it may sound, corruption is part of Indonesian culture. Combating corruption requires actions that dig into the core substance of the individual.

As hard as Indonesia has tried to eradicate corruption, it continues to be one of the most corrupt countries in Southeast Asia. Another series of events this past year were linked to religious intolerance. For a country that prides itself on the principle of “Unity in Diversity”, there are a large number of citizens who do not feel the same way.

Indonesia needs to build its people through education, but it cannot be done solely by increasing the wage of Indonesian teachers. An increase in income is always a good incentive but the curriculum and fundamental principles must be changed.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should have acknowledged the weak education system in Indonesia and the fragility of his people, and should have pushed for efforts that would seek results in the reformation of his people — not the reformation of the country’s economic or physical infrastructure.

Considering that Indonesia is preparing for the creation of the ASEAN Community in 2015, the country must prove that it can balance both domestic and international problems. It is with high hopes that 2012 will open the doors for that to happen.

Cantika Paramitha R.
Bandung