Politics
From The Report: Indonesia 2012
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Since declaring independence from the Netherlands in 1945, Indonesia has become one of the world’s fastest developing and most economically promising nations. Its assumption of the presidency of ASEAN in 2011 testified both to the increasing interconnectedness of the region as well to the evolution of an Indonesian political system just over a decade removed from authoritarianism. Indonesia’s new democracy committed to addressing the legacy of centralised, authoritarian rule in part through decentralisation, which gave more autonomy to local administrative units. Problems of corruption and bureaucracy still remain, as in any developing country, but the record of post-Suharto politic stability has been a boon to economic development.

This chapter contains interviews with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey; Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General, ASEAN; and viewpoints from Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State; and William Hague, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Rising to the challenge: Growth and reform have continued despite difficult global conditions
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Since declaring independence from the Netherlands in 1945, Indonesia has become one of the world’s fastest developing and most economically promising nations. Transforming itself repeatedly over the years, it has also now established itself as an emerging regional giant. Indeed, while many countries felt the strong negative effects of the global financial crisis, Indonesia continued to build on its strengths, with its economy growing in spite of the global downturn and its political life continuing…

Analysis

At the helm: Chairing ASEAN presents an opportunity to increase regional influence
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As one of the founding members of ASEAN, 2011 has been a special year for Indonesia, as it has assumed the chair of the 10-member regional group. At a time when Asia is becoming increasingly important in global affairs, this is an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its growing influence. The year has been one of growing uncertainties too, within the global economy. At the same time, within the ASEAN region, moves toward economic integration continued to gather pace, while several disputes…

Interview

Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey: Interview
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Interview:Abdullah Gül How can Turkey and Indonesia, the world’s leading moderate Muslim-majority nations, play a role in the development of relations between East and West? ABDULLAH GÜL: The age we live in requires new approaches to international and inter-communal relations. We need programmes that aim to collaborate, harmonise and synthesise varying cultures, and to build upon the common wisdom and achievements of humanity. We must show that diversity is not a weakness but a source…

Interview

Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs: Interview
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Interview:Marty Natalegawa What are the main obstacles to achieving the ASEAN integrated economic community by 2015? MARTY NATALEGAWA: The concept of integrating and synergising an economic community of 10 sovereign nations, all of which have their own economic concerns and priorities, is fundamentally challenging. However, ASEAN long ago recognised the importance of achieving this objective. The alternative, i.e. not integrating, would have been detrimental to our economic prosperity. With…

Analysis

Party lines: Political groups share similar ideologies but differ in leadership styles
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With nine parties represented in the Indonesian legislature – and six of those present in the cabinet – the political landscape of the country is clearly very multifaceted. Though three parties tend to dominate the scene, no one group has been able to gain a majority in parliament and shifting coalitions and alliances ensure a wide variety of influences and viewpoints. THE MAJOR PLAYERS: Currently, the largest party in the legislature – the People’s Representative Council (DPR) –…

Analysis

A focus on unity: Bringing a diverse population together
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As an archipelago comprising some 17,500 islands, Indonesia has an ethnically and religiously diverse population – a characteristic long the source of both opportunities and challenges. Indeed, different perceptions of this diversity have engendered conflict in recent decades. However, the past few years have seen a major reduction in political risks and a corresponding increase in foreign investment and interest. Political risk in Indonesia today thus bears little comparison with what it was…

Interview

Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General, ASEAN: Interview
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Interview:Surin Pitsuwan How can ASEAN assist Indonesia in addressing its significant infrastructure challenges? SURIN PITSUWAN: Assistance to ASEAN member states for addressing infrastructure challenges is carried out in indirect ways, mostly through sharing experience and best practices in areas such as urban transport planning, development and management. Other avenues of support include harmonising regulations and procedures and developing ASEAN-wide hard infrastructure networks like…

Viewpoint

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, on regional entrepreneurship
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Indonesia is one of the three largest democracies in the world in a dynamic region increasingly at the heart of global commerce and growth. Like so many other countries, Indonesia is also home to an enormous population of young people, with almost 75m under the age of 18. Those young people are growing up in a world very different than the one I grew up in, and they are connected in ways that I could never have imagined even 10 years ago. The jobs and opportunities that they need and deserve will…