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‘Testimony of Changes’: A statesman’s recollections of Indonesia, ASEAN and beyond
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tatesman, mogul, strategist. There are numerous accolades and titles that can be used to describe Jusuf Wanandi and his legacy in shaping Indonesia, a man who showcased his business and political acumen in an anthology titled Testimony of Changes: Consolidating Indonesian Democracy and Forging Regional Cooperation.
Published in 2017 to mark Jusuf’s 80th birthday, the book is divided into seven sections, ranging from well-informed and critical perspectives on bilateral ties and regional alliances to Jusuf’s personal anecdotes and celebrations of “friends and actors of change”.
Each section is composed of 15 to 30 op-eds published in The Jakarta Post in chronological order, one dating back to 1984 showcasing Jusuf and the Post’s concerns about Kampuchea, present day Cambodia, while others chronicle Indonesia’s post-Reform journey, reassuring readers amid a shaky political climate while navigating a balancing act between challenges and opportunities on the global stage.
The anthology starts off with an op-ed published a month before the 1997 general elections, reflecting on Indonesia’s position amid Asia Pacific’s economic growth prospects while the last chapter is dedicated to Jusuf’s allies and confidants, including the likes of retired United States Army Col. George Benson, former president of Singapore SR Nathan and banker and businessman Liem Sioe Liong, also known as Sudono Salim.
Jusuf’s writings have often been applauded by senior statesmen, including Australia’s former foreign minister Gareth Evans who praised his “informed, balanced and constructive voice” as a “hugely perceptive observer of the national, bilateral, regional and global scene and a thoroughly engaging interlocutor.”
Meanwhile, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Indonesia’s current ambassador to Romania and Moldova who served as the Post’s editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2016 and president director of state news agency Antara from 2016 to 2023, wrote in his foreword that there have been “many occasions when I would scoff at his preliminary predictions only to quietly concede to his wisdom at a later date.”
The intricacies of foreign policy and national affairs may perhaps appeal to few outside of political historians, academics and experts. However, these issues are still of utmost importance for the general public, who probably should approach Testimony of Changes with a healthy amount of free time, patience and bookmarks.
Indeed, Duncan Graham previously described Testimony of Changes as “not a set-course dinner but a spread of snacks”, which perfectly encapsulates the book’s nature, one that should be savored with much contemplation as many of the issues raised in the articles are still deeply relevant to this day.
After all, to understand where we are going next, we need to remember where we came from.
