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Democracy, Malaysia and us
In the past Indonesia ranked among the worldâs authoritarian states, but now the nation has emerged as the third-largest democracy in the world and the biggest in Southeast Asia
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In the past Indonesia ranked among the world's authoritarian states, but now the nation has emerged as the third-largest democracy in the world and the biggest in Southeast Asia.
General elections in 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 as well as direct presidential elections since 2004 are testament to the wave of democratization here.
The fact that we experienced three decades of iron-fist regime did not stop us from transforming into a democracy with a peaceful transition from an authoritarian toward a democratic regime.
Today, like the economic and development agenda, democracy has increasingly served as a strategic pillar of Indonesian foreign policy, especially in dealing with the rest of Southeast Asia. Democracy, as emphasized in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter, has been accepted as a common goal through the creation of the ASEAN Community. However, de facto democracy has not been fully implemented in most countries in Southeast Asia.
In fact, political turmoil and anti-democratic attitudes have persistently haunted most of them. If we map democracy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is practically the only country that meets democratic standards, although the consolidation of democracy remains a work in progress here.
In that regard, it is safe to say that many hope Indonesia will play a concrete role in promoting democracy in the region. As the region's most advanced democracy, Indonesia bears a moral responsibility to act as a role model for its Southeast Asian neighbors.
Therefore, democracy should serve as the basis for Indonesia in conducting diplomacy. In recent years, the steps toward that direction have been realized.
The success of the democratic election in Myanmar, for example, would not have been achieved without the role of Indonesia in sharing its democratic practices.
Soon after taking office in March 2011, Myanmar leader, President U Thein Sein, held a bilateral meeting with then Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to learn about Indonesia's political transition from authoritarian to democratic rule.
President Thein also expressed interest in learning about Indonesia's efforts to sustain democracy.
One year after the bilateral meeting, Myanmar successfully held a democratic election after more than 20 years under military rule.
Indeed, the development of democracy in Southeast Asia has been delightful over the last few years. Calls for greater democracy have been voiced loudly in many Southeast Asian communities, including in Malaysia.
In 2007, 2011 and 2012 the Bersih movement proved itself to be a powerful force in demanding clean and fair elections in Malaysia. Today, the movement is increasing its stake by demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal.
Najib has come under political pressure ever since the Wall Street Journal published documents showing US$700 million in state funds had flowed into his personal bank accounts since 2013.
Malaysian authorities responded to the protest by blocking access to websites that disseminate information about the Bersih movement. Police have declared the movement illegal and threatened to take legal action against the participants.
Beyond the corruption allegations, Najib cannot stop the Malaysian economy from falling further. In August, the ringgit depreciated by 3.91 against the US dollar, which is a 17-year low, as the sell-off in the stock market intensified amid weakening growth prospects that continue to drag down investor sentiment.
The weakening currency points to an economic crisis. Meanwhile looming public distrust leads to a political crisis. It is only a matter of time before the ramification of these crises will explode into a general catastrophe that will be difficult to manage.
Indonesia can exercise soft diplomacy to restrain the Malaysian authorities from any use of violence in handling the protesters or from any curbs on freedom of speech. Indonesia's experience in the Myanmar election sent a clear message to Malaysia that conflict and political turmoil can be resolved through dialogue.
Sooner or later, the wind of democracy will blow into our Southeast Asian neighbors as happened in Indonesia 17 years ago. All attempts to resist democracy, which the ruling political elite in Malaysia are now performing, will end in failure, given the pressures from within and all over the world.
Democracy has become a historical will, in which the political legitimacy of a state is now measured by the degree of democracy and political openness it embraces.
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The writer heads the department of politics and government at The Habibie Center, Jakarta. The views expressed are his own.
