Fortunately, globalization of the world provides lots of
opportunities for poor or developing countries to catch
up with economic modernity. It also provides a more
solid ground to start democratization. I am not saying
that all of these are easy or automatic. But at least,
they are possible and the world has already seen some
convincing examples of how the two grand objectives
were achievable in one or two generations.
Here we have to rejoice as members of the Asian nations,
because many of such successes occurred in Asia,
particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Malaysia and
Indonesia, as well as others like Singapore, Thailand,
South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China, have given the
world some kind of positive examples in achieving either
economic development or democracy, or sometimes both.
We have to be proud of these achievements. As an
Indonesian, what I am also proud about is the fact that as
the world’s largest muslim nation, Indonesia has proven
that Islam, modernity, and democracy can go along well.
Islam is no threat to modernity and democracy. In fact,
it encourages moderation and enriches our sense of
togetherness as a people. This is a true success story,
especially if we see the fact that Indonesia, with its 240
million people, is one of the world’s most plural societies.
By explaining all that, I am not saying that economic
progress and political opening in Asia have all been
seamlessly accepted or have been without conflicting
implications in world affairs. In the short run, change and
transformation will always create ripples and confusing
responses.
Here, the best example is the rise of China, our giant
neighbor who has rapidly expanding its economy.
Because of its size, everything related to China will always
be treated with hyperbole. Many countries, including the
US, seems to give divided responses on how best to deal
with the rising giant. Unfortunately, the confusion was
also fueled by the hard-liners in all the parties involved,
as we have witnessed recently in the news regarding the
posturing in the issue of Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands in the
South China Sea.
The posturing by the parties involved (Beijing, Tokyo,
Washington) will of course be fading away in the coming
weeks. But it is a small example which tells us a bigger
picture, that the transformation of China needs to be
absorbed by the world with care and responsibility (the
awakening dragon needs to be handle with care and
friendly gestures).
That is only one examples of many such issues. From
India to Japan, there are things to settle with care and
responsibility. The same is also true in many regions, from
the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe, which
of course will be too long here if we discuss them one by
one.
In Asia, one thing we always have to remember: more
than half of the world population live in our region. Asia
is very dynamic, with lots of people: let us direct this
dynamism and energy toward peace and prosperity, not
toward conflict or petty posturing. In the context of world
economy, to certain degree we have created some kind
of Pax Asiana. Our great challence now, in the context of
politics, security and world peace, is to make the same
positive contribution and achievement.
So, Asian countries have a very important role to play
in world affairs. I think the best way to excersize our
role is to define the issues, to set up the agenda, and to
mobilize strong coalition of nations in the direction of our
goals. I strongly believe we can do all this. We have been
successful in many fronts. Now is the time to help lead the
world into a better future.
As a closing for this short remark, I should say that I am
proud that a political party like UMNO in Malaysia (which
is truly Asia) is thinking far ahead and discussing the topic
of power and global moderation in its general assembly
meeting.
I congratulate UMNO for this. My party, Golkar, will learn
from it. Already, before I flew to Kuala Lumpur yesterday,
I had asked my deputies in the Golkar party to plan for a
seminar with the topic of the same nature, discussing the
future of the world. (But of course, we in Indonesia have a
more immediate task early next year, to win the elections
for our legislators and to win the presidency. We will talk
about the world after that).
Again, I thank you for inviting me to this panel.
Wabillahitaufiq walhidayah,
Wassalamualaikum Wr. Wb.
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