I think we have mixed feelings. Compared to Somalis and Afghans, certainly Indonesians are much more fortunate. There’s no civil war here, it’s easier to make a living without having to be a pirate, the kids go to school, you go everywhere all across the country safely, the democratic government really exists and so forth. In short, Indonesia has been well-rounded sovereign state for a long time.
But, living in mediocre state must not be the goal of our founding fathers. Our government is disappointing. It’s devoid of inspiration. The policy is unprepossessing. Confidence is plunging instead of rising. And I don’t think we are proud of our country as much that of the Chinese, Indians or Singaporeans. We are not a spirited nation. I see Indonesia like a small-brained dinosaur.
In observing independence, what’s saddening is Indonesia can’t escape from the long-standing problem for decades: corruption which is Indonesia’s no.1 issue and enemy. Last Sunday, Dwi Koen, Kompas’ Panji Koming creator, published the same cartoon of 1985 about corruption which is still relevant with today’s situation. Corruptors really do a number on all of us.
Independence is also about to bring justice for all Indonesians which is still badly managed. Jusuf Kalla said there at least 15 conflicts in Indonesia that claimed more than 1,000 lives and 10 out of 15 are arisen by injustice. And after 66 years, the government can’t enact justice – minorities are haunted, corruptor attended freely tennis match, heart-rending stories of poverty is still rampant and development is centralized in Java.
But, what’s emboldening is the problem of corruption has no causality with economic progress. To some extent corruption doesn’t jeopardize economy. Economy has fared well with relatively high growth. Apparently economic investment is blind which can’t differ between ill-gotten money and well-gotten money. Money including corruption-source one invariably can move economy.
Of course, if things don’t change, in the long term we can go further to the next stage of development.
This is just a comparison. After overwhelming the world with cheap products, now China is scrambling to move up value chain, not only assembly foreign products. It is struggling to churn out its branded products, not only to serve the low ends ones. It is trying to compete with other nations in renewable energy, outer space research, high-speed train, health research of stem cell and other cutting-edge science and technology. All in all China has gained steam to be a developed country.
We don’t see these things happening in Indonesia. Indonesians quarrels on politics and abandons knowledge-based economy which is well-trodden path to economic development. Innovation as the essence of knowledge-based economy is the hallmark and archetype of developed nation ranging from China, Singapore to Japan. Without innovation, Indonesia’s economy will finally be out of steam and caught in middle income trap. But our movers and shakers seem unaware with this.
Since the first day, Indonesians had lofty expectation for independence. We realize our founding fathers cobbled a plan of independence, but we have had 66 years to fix it. And as of today independence still reneges on its promise to deliver justice and prosperity. And in my opinion developing knowledge-based economy is the only way to fill in our independence and fulfill the promise.
But whatever happens our loves for Indonesia endure. Freedom!
* * * * *
No comments:
Post a Comment