SEKARBUMI D. A.

(1810412093) // KELAS C

What do you think the development of democracy in Indonesia post-Soeharto reign?

I think, even though after Soeharto stepped down and Indonesia making a great
progress towards a better future, we are still a long way from that goal.
As we can see in Gus Dur and Megawati’s reigns – where we focusing on building
Indonesia’s image internationally. But in SBY’s reign, he focuses on the regional institution
and building domestic economics.
This shows that Indonesia’s stances are still uncertain. We focus on the regional power
(ASEAN), but we also busy making ‘friends’ outside ASEAN and Asia’s region. We’re
doing great with USA, but also being ‘lovey-dovey’ with China. It’s not consistent.
Being in a bloc has some pros and cons, sure. But it is better to have a bloc than nothing
at all. We need to make a sterner and more consistent policy, one that stated our position in
region and international. It is time for us to drop of the ‘neutral’ profile, stop the taking-it-the-
easy-way stances. We need to act if we want to be an advance country that has great
influence to others.