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THE NATION: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: A
- Subject: THE NATION: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: A
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 18:54:00
Editorial & Opinion
REGIONAL
PERSPECTIVE: Asean,
minus Suharto, will
change
The epochal change in Indonesia last week
will alter the fundamental perceptions and
structures of future relations among
countries in Southeast Asia and
consequently their ties with the rest of the
now that the disgraced former president
Suharto, one of Asean's main architects,
has stepped down.
Although it is too early to tell the scope and
substance of the reforms that the new
Indonesian government under President
Jusuf Habibie is willing to commit itself to, it
is suffice to take the view that Indonesia will
be more democratic with genuine political
pluralism and be more tolerant to the
freedom of expression.
Back in 1989 the collapse of the former
Soviet empire allowed Eastern European
countries, which were under the direct
influence of Moscow, to break free and
demolished communism. Now most of the
former Soviet allies have become fully
fledged democracies. These changes were
more or less peaceful despite the initial
threat of violence and economic difficulties.
Some of them have even embarked oi
integrating with the broader European
economy, the European Union, as well as
Europe's security structure, particularly the
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
In more ways than one, this welcome trend
is finding new expression now in Southeast
Asia. For the past three decades Indonesia
under the authoritarian rule of Suharto has
been used as a successful model for
developing countries, that of a strong
leadership which enables business and
economy to prosper at the expense of
democratisation.
In fact, given the impressive economic
development, an average of eight per cent
per annum between 1990 and 1996, the
international community, especially
Jakarta's friends, has been willing to turn a
blind eye to Indonesia's political
suppression and uncertainty. In 1996
Indonesia ranked seventh in the
International Monetary Fund's top-ten
emerging economies. It was the envy of the
world.
As such, Indonesia wields extraordinary
influence among developing countries in
the world including members of the
Non-aligned Movement and the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
Closer to home, Indonesia is the backbone
of Asean. Created in 1967, Asean's main
objective was to engage and contain this
powerful neighbour.
Within Southeast Asia, new Asean
members have sought to emulate
Indonesia. Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and
Laos are interested in its economic
development coupled with the assertive
and assured roles of the military in both the
economic and political sphere. The
Indonesian armed forces and constitution
have been used as a prototype for Burma's
military leaders and the drafting of a new
constitution.
However, last week's sudden change in
Indonesia has caught these countries off
guard. None would think that Suharto would
step down this fast and that his grip on
power would crumble so rapidly. Worse,
some of the reform measures the new
Indonesian government has chosen to take,
such as the planned release of political
prisoners and to conduct dialogues with the
opposition, are considered taboo in these
countries.
Previously, the world's fourth largest country
has always represented the lowest
common denominator within the Asean
cooperative framework, be it economic or
political. If Jakarta is not happy, the rest of
Asean is not supposed to go against
Asean's big boss. It is often said in Asean
that the grouping can only move as slow as
its largest member.
Throughout the modern history of Southeast
Asia, Suharto's strong leadership and the
nation's principle of pancasila (''five pillars'')
have represented the core values for many
countries in the region. With a more open
and democratic Indonesia, Asean's future
will definitely be brighter. For one thing it
will not be so inclined to support
authoritarian regimes.
To many this may sound a bit optimistic at
this juncture. However, given the prospect
of Indonesia's long-term reforms, its
Suharto-era norms would all have to be
changed.
And as Indonesia changes, Burma and
other less democratic countries expect to
face serious problems. For the first time, a
new Indonesia will provide the
much-needed impetus for democratisation
within the Asean region. Thus it will provide
a positive influence in the overall Asean
development.
Six months ago in Kuala Lumpur the Asean
leaders agreed with the Thai proposal that
''open society'' should be a common
objective of Asean. It was only through the
last-minute support of Indonesia that the
text was passed. The quiet revolution in
Indonesia will now also encourage Asean
to take up sensitive issues such as human
rights, democracy and respect for the role
of non-governmental organisations. With
Jakarta's support, Asean will be able to
pursue this new avenue.
Beyond that, the new Indonesia will also
promote the realisation of the Asean Free
Trade Area in 2003. In the past the
government had to protect the Suharto
family's business and monopolies and thus
moved at a snail's pace. With a more
transparent economic system Indonesia
can now play a role in accelerating the full
integration of the Asean free-trade area.
The situation in Indonesia has taught Asean
leaders the lesson that real economic
development cannot be achieved without
simultaneously practicising democracy, and
now, with the backing of Indonesia, the
Asean political system is ready to undergo
a facelift.
BY KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN
The Nation