Indonesia 2025

Anand Krishna*

In his address to the nation on August 15, 2009, President Susilo

Bambang Yudhoyono mentioned Self-Dependency (Kemandirian),
Competitiveness (Daya Saing) and Excellence in Civilization
(Peradaban yang Unggul) as three important factors in nation
building.

Nationalism and Internationalism

Self-Dependency, or Nationalism in the language of our first

president Soekarno, can no longer sustain outside the larger
framework of Internationalism. Our National Self-Dependency must
also recognize the Interdependency of Nations. Our world has
already become a global village, where anything happening in any
corner of the village, or to any villager, affects the entire village and
all villagers.

In response to the J. W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton bombing recently,

some of our knowledgeable experts, analysts and activists
remarked that the bombers had no reason to attack our country, for
Indonesian state was not at war with them, and that instead they
could have bombed some other country at war with them, for
instance the United States of America.

It is very disheartening to note that even our knowledgeable lack

intelligence. What happens to America, or to any other country in
the world, has a ripple effect on the entire world. We cannot escape
it too.

Similarly, our governments stand on Myanmar is also regrettable.

While we can have a Palestinian Mission in our country, why cant
we allow the activists for peace and democracy in Myanmar to
meet here? Why cant we have Dalai Lama visit our country and
talk about the plight of his people?

Co-operative Based Economy

While talking about Competitiveness, I believe that the

Machiavellian and Sun-Tzuian concept is no longer relevant. It must
be replaced with a more human approach based on Togetherness
(Kebersamaan) as pointed out by Business Week in its excellent
special report (30/10/2006). I have briefly discussed this in one of
my earlier articles (Jakarta Post 04/05/2007).

Interestingly, such human approach was already envisioned by our

founding fathers. Soekarno called it Gotong-Royong (Sharing our
Burden), and Hatta translated the concept into Co-operative Based
Economy. Unfortunately however, President Yudhoyono did not,
even once, mention the word in his entire speech.

He did, however, suggest taking into account our resources

(certainly both, human and natural), knowledge (=skill), and culture
for our economic development. I fully endorse to this, as I also do to
the limited role of government (not intervention), for we have just
witnessed the failure of totally decentralized and liberal western
economy.

Uniqueness and Creativity

President Yudhoyono suggested productivity, adaptability, and

innovation (most importantly in the field of technology), as
important factors to excel. I presume, by innovation he meant
creativity. For, innovation could also mean growth, or simply
improvement on something already created; whereas, creativity is
originality. Creativity is unique.

We must believe in our uniqueness. This country, as any other

country in the world, is unique. We have our share to contribute to
world civilization as other countries do. We must be more self-
confident.

Spiritual Platform

President Yudhoyono reasserted his commitment to the state

ideology of Pancasila as an open and living ideology, source of
inspiration and solution for nation building; and, the national theme
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or Unity in Diversity as our uniting factor.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Now, let us for once and all time end the discourse on khilafat and
religion-based government system. And, with that, also end the
threat to our national unity and integration. It is now your duty, Mr.
President, to ensure that Hizbut Tahrir, Basyir, and others, no longer
engage themselves in activities that could disintegrate our nation.

What is most important, Mr. President, is to closely watch the

movements of your supporters, some of them clearly have hidden
agendas and vested interests, closely related to Hizbut Tahrirs and
Basyirs aspirations.

Our culture is deeply rooted in spirituality and humanity, not in the

dogmas and doctrines of a particular religion. We do not believe in
politically motivated barriers in the name of religion. Our founding
fathers used Ketuhanan or Godliness for spirituality. This is the
foundation upon which we can build a World Civilization of your
dream, Mr. President, where our individual identities mingle
harmoniously.

Indonesia to Come

President Yudhoyono also shared his vision of Indonesia 2025,

when, in his opinion, we would no longer be a developing nation, but
mature into a developed nation. This could be his wise response to a
report prepared by the National Intelligence Council of the United
States in November 2008. I have written on the subject earlier
(Jakarta Post, 02/06/2009).

The report and ensuing studies as well as scenarios prepared by

several experts indicate that by 2025 the Indonesian State could be
fragmented. The threat came from the religious fanatics, radicals,
and extremists, and not only from the terrorists or from their violent
activities.

President Yudhoyono seems to have understood this threat clearly.

As such, he pointed out ten goals to achieve by 2025: 1. Unity and
Social Harmony, 2. National Stability, 3. Democracy and
Transparency, 4. Law and Order, 5. Economic Growth, 6. Prosperity,
7. Good Governance, 8. Protection of Environment, 9. National and
Regional Development, and, 10. Global Co-operation.

I must say, not so easy, and very ambitious, but achievable goals,
Mr. President. Together, we can achieve them. But, as we talk of
togetherness, let us also not forget the checks and balances, the
most oft quoted phrase in your speech, without which democracy
would mean nothing.

Let us have the opposition, your Excellency. Let us not be afraid of

them. Those who point out your mistakes, said the great 14 th
century Sufi Mystic Kabir, are your true friends and well wishers.
For, it is because of them, that we can improve, and grow further.

I wish you all the best, Mr. President!

*Spiritual Activist, author of more than 130 books (www.aumkar.org)