Is Indonesia a "Third World" Country ? - Whose on First ?

Before I answer that question or opine, let's have a clear and correct understanding of what a "Third World" country is in the first place; and let's also ask ourselves, if there is a "Third World" - then whose on first ?

What or who is First World and Second World then ?  We hear the term "Third World" in the media all the time, and most people would just think or assume that the terms has to do with a country's level or economic development. WRONG !

Having the moniker of being a "First", "Second" or "Third World" country originated in the United States during the Cold War period and has nothing to do directly with economics but with POLITICAL alliance or affiliation. It refers to a country being one of "us, them, or undecided"; i.e. for us or against us.

First World = the United States (and it's allies).

Second World = The Soviet Union (and it's allies).

Third World = everyone else who is either undecided, uncommitted or lacks the military resources to be of any real concern or consequence to the United States. 

Typically a "Third World" country can be one that is undeveloped or impoverished; but not necessarily and "undeveloped" or impoverished are not pre-requisites to claim the moniker of being a "Third World" country.  There are 233 countries in the world (including Vatican City).  Many of these countries are advanced culturally, technologically, and economically; but do not have a political or diplomatic alliance with the United States.  Some countries that come to mind are; Mexico & South America, the UAE and other Middle East countries.

So, now where does Indonesia fall ?  Is Indonesia one of "us" or one of "them" ?   Although Indonesia does have diplomatic relations with the United States, Indonesia does not trade with the United States in any considerable volume import or export wise (see previous blog entries with data and charts on this).  The U.S. tried to impose political "sanctions" on Indonesia throughout the 1990's and through the first half of this decade as a result of human rights violations or concerns in East Timor and refused to sell military arms to Indonesia or provide IMET (International Military Education & Training) through an embargo. Indonesia subsequently said, "fine then, be that way... we'll just get our arms from Russia!"  DOH !




Much to my surprise and dismay, on the drive into Jakarta from Bogor one Sunday morning recently there must have been either an airshow or routine training exercises taking place; but I was quite surprised to see Russian fighter jets flying low and fast over the toll road and thought to myself, what an odd sight that was.  Now it all makes sense.... 

From a news article in October: "Indonesia Set to Continue Buying Arms From Russia"

<< Indonesia will continue its military-technical cooperation with Russia, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday.  

Purnomo Yusgiantoro spoke after an official transfer of three Russian-made Mi-35P combat helicopters to Indonesia.

"We will continue our military-technical cooperation with Russia," the minister said, noting the high quality and reliability of Russian-made military equipment.

With the addition of the three Mi-35s, the fleet of Russian-made helicopters in service with the Indonesian Armed Forces now comprises five Mi-35 attack helicopters and six Mi-17V5 multipurpose helicopters.

Under a $300 million contract, signed in 2007, Russia recently completed the delivery of three Su-30MK2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Jakarta in addition to two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters purchased in 2003.

"Our current priority is to create a full-size squadron of Su fighter jets comprising 16 aircraft," Yusgiantoro said.

There are several other prospective areas of military-technical cooperation both countries were eager to pursue, Yusgiantoro said, without elaborating.

According to media reports, Russia and South Korea are competing in the second round of a tender for the supply of two submarines to Indonesia.>>


There may be diplomatic relations with the United States, and Indonesia does fight terrorism; but that doesn't necessarily mean in and of itself that they are one of "us", or on our side.  Buying arms from Russia and not trading with the U.S. in any noteworthy volume would be a "clue" that Indonesia is obviously paying mere lip service to "diplomatic relations" with the U.S.

It's quite ironic, however, how much assistance Indonesia accepts from USAID (United States Agency for International Development) then turn around and buys arms from Russia.  Whose side do you think Indonesia is on now ?  I am not suggesting that Indonesia will become a "Second World" ally with Russia now or have communist or socialist proclivities or penchants as a result of buying arms from Russia; but by buying arms from Russia, Indonesia certainly doesn't align itself with the United States.

I vociferously believe that the U.S. should cut off ALL humanitarian and social aide to Indonesia and spend that money more wisely by investing in its own people, rebuilding the failing economy as a result of the recession, and putting Americans back to work.  Someone at USAID or in the Obama administration needs to WAKE UP and smell the coffee and invest in a country who is going to show more loyalty to the United States!  Or better yet, help it's own people FIRST before trying to help everyone else in the world.

The underlying principle of foreign aide is to create or open up foreign markets for U.S. products; particularly ARMS SALES.  Foreign aide is actually intended to aide the giver, not the recipient.  The idea is that the recipient will be appreciative and thankful and be favorable to the U.S. when it comes to trade, partnerships and political alliances.  So, now I ask you; how is the U.S. getting a good return on its investment when a country (such as Indonesia) turns its back on the U.S. and buys arms from Russia ?

President Obama's recent visit here earlier this month in November was somewhat of an embarrassment actually.  He had nearly nothing substantive to say really about all this or how specifically he intended to improve trade relations with Indonesia.  His anecdotes of his childhood here in Indonesia about eating meatball soup and catching dragonflies were slightly entertaining; but come on Mr. President, you can certainly say a great deal more about U.S. - Indonesian relations than what you said on a less than one day visit here to tell us, "bakso...enak" smile alot then basically hop back on Airforce One and leave.  The consensus I get from locals is that his visit here was a big disappointment; especially in light of him having to cancel or defer his visit here several previous times.  One would think that the returning "prodigal son" would have something more to say...  I would have loved to ask the President, "Mr. President, can you comment on Indonesia's apparent lack of loyalty to the United States as manifest through its lack of any significant trade with the U.S. and it's recent arms purchases with Russia, and what specifically does your administration intend to do about that other than engage in mere diplomatic rhetoric for the duration of your less than one full day visit here; and finally, where is Hillary Clinton and why didn't you bring the Secretary of State along with you to put some things straight here?"


Here are some other considerations to ponder and absorb. Indonesia is a quasi-democratic society or country.  Indonesian may self proclaim itself to be "Democratic" or a "Democracy" but it is not a true democracy as we in the United States know it or think of it.  There is not freedom of religion (or freedom from it) and there is not free press here or freedom of speech (certain books are banned here) for example, which are core elements of a truly democratic society or government "of the people, for the people and by the people." In a truly democratic society or regime freedom of a sovereign nation's citizens is secured by legitimate rights and liberties. There are of course many forms of democracy and there is no universally accepted definition of a democracy.  The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without governmental or constitutional protections of individual liberties, it is possible for a minority of individuals to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority".

My intent is to not bash Indonesia here in this post.  I have a strong affinity for the Indonesian people; otherwise I wouldn't be here.... but certain truths need to be told or realized before [economic and political] relations between the two countries can improve.  

I've digressed from the original story line and have gone a little bit "stream of consciousness" with some tangents above, but I'll wrap it all up now and tie it all together...

Final Answer:  Indonesia IS a "Third World" country. (who now buys its arms from Russia)

See map below:

Blue = United States (and its allies); therefore "First World"
Red =  The Soviet Union (and its allies); therefore "Second World"
Green = non aligned countries.  Indonesia is in green

The "non-aligned" countries (probably not wanting to be thought of as or called "Third World") formed their own "non-aligned" alliance under the "Non-Aligned Movement"

Member Countries (Indonesia)
Observer Countries

Indonesia's Fiscal Budget

Article as reported in What's New Jakarta:

Where to spend the money?: We are all painfully aware of the urgent need to spend money to improve the roads, mitigate flooding, ensure clean water and sewerage access for all, upgrade the airports and port etc etc the list goes on. “Yes but this all costs money and where will that come from?” you might ask. Well in fact we could start with the governments own overflowing coffers. As of early this week, the government had only disbursed Rp 556.28 trillion ($61.75 billion) being only 56% of the years budget. The Ministry of Works, which is responsible for roads, bridges and ports, has only spent less than 50% of its Rp 37 trillion budget. There needs to be some very serious questions asked as to why this money has not been spent, considering that everywhere you look there is a desperate need for it be spent!

Commentary:  Assuming these figures are based on a calender year basis; e.g.  Jan 1st - Dec 31st, and not on a fiscal year basis; e.g. July 1st - June 30th -- then this means that 91% of the fiscal budget year has already gone by and only 56% of the year's budget has been spent; with less than 50% of the Public Works budget being allocated or utilized.  Why has this money not been spent you ask?  Because the difference has been "earmarked" for the politicians' own pockets.

 

Too Much Money Flowing Into Indonesia ?

As reported in the Washington Post November 4, 2010

"As Money Pours In, Indonesia and Other Emerging Markets Fret Over Fed Eeasing"

By Howard Schneider
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 4, 2010; 10:09 PM
JAKARTA, INDONESIA

The stock market here doubled last year and is headed that way again, money is pouring into Indonesian government bonds, and investment is booming. It might seem an embarrassment of riches, but the capital flooding into Indonesia and other emerging markets could be too much of a good thing.

As the United States and other developed countries cope with what might be years of slow growth and
frugality, the concern in Indonesia is - quite literally - over too much money and how to prevent it from
sowing a future crisis.

Governments from Bangkok to Buenos Aires are imposing new taxes and other conditions to try curbing the flow, which can make local currencies more expensive, impede local exporters and create asset bubbles that ultimately crash.

Although capital controls had lost favor in many countries during a U.S.-led drive to open financial
markets, officials in emerging markets are now looking for ways to insulate their economies from
dramatic capital flows set off in large part by the United States.

The Federal Reserve's announcement Wednesday that it would pump $600 billion into the economy,
aiming to energize the flagging recovery, could mean even more difficulties for these countries. The Fed action could lead to a weaker dollar and even lower interest rates, prompting global investors to look elsewhere for returns and put money into economies such as Indonesia's - in turn forcing up local
currencies and asset prices again.

"There is a fundamental shift of capital flowing from developed to emerging markets," said Fauzi Ichsan, senior economist for the Standard Chartered bank in Indonesia. ". . . There is money sloshing around the world. The real economy can't fully absorb it."

The situation is likely to complicate U.S. efforts to push for an agreement on exchange rates and other
financial issues when heads of the world's major economies gather in South Korea next week. An initial
agreement among the finance ministers called on countries with widely used currencies to avoid
decisions that would shake up world markets. U.S. officials may well be asked to explain how the Fed's
actions comply with that commitment.

Fed Move Felt in Jakarta

The Fed's decision to pump money into the economy through massive purchases of Treasury bonds was meant to rekindle consumer and business demand and create jobs. If successful, U.S. policymakers argue, this will help the world by invigorating its largest economy.

In developing markets, however, there are concerns that the move could aggravate some of the same
problems in the global economy that U.S. officials say they are trying to curb. U.S. officials have
roundly criticized China's undervalued currency and large trade surplus, saying these make it hard for
other nations to export more. But loose U.S. monetary policy, which has left the economy awash in
dollars, is seen as the other side of the coin.

Among Jakarta's business community, "sentiment is against" any move by the Fed to add more money to the system, said Sandiago Uno, founding partner of Saratoga Capital, a local investment firm.

Indonesia has one of Southeast Asia's most open capital markets, and the local currency, the rupiah, has been rising. But the central bank has pushed back and recently began requiring investors in its short term certificates to hold them for a minimum of 30 days - a regulation that would prevent about $30 billion invested in potentially volatile holdings from leaving the country in a rush.

Once discouraged by the International Monetary Fund, such capital controls are now seen as a
potentially useful tool, though there are also concerns that the trend could expand - like other sorts of
trade restrictions - to a harmful degree.

"After years in the intellectual deep freeze, capital controls have acquired a new aura of respectability,"
a team of HSBC analysts wrote in a recent report, "Manning the Barricades," on how emerging markets
are managing the influx of capital. The trend toward open capital markets "is in danger of going into
reverse," the report said.

Will Things Be Different?

To a point, emerging markets welcome the influx of money. Indonesia is particularly trumpeting the
increase in long-term foreign investment into business and other capital projects.

But there are bad memories, here and in other developing nations, of the downside. Money that flows
into local markets can flow out just as fast. The financial crisis that rocked Asia in the 1990s is still felt
in Indonesia - lost years when little was invested in infrastructure, commercial property values that
remain below what they were 15 years ago, a corporate and government culture so biased against debt it could crimp economic growth.

The question is whether things will be different this time. Many argue that it will. At the offices of the
Asian Development Bank, officials call the capital inflow "a good problem" that, if managed properly,
will be useful in building the economy and allowing the government to borrow at lower rates.

Business executives, government officials and agencies such as the IMF, meanwhile, note that [Indonesia] emerged from the Asian financial crisis with a solid banking system, mostly in the hands of outside investors, and a government that has kept its debt and spending modest.

With local economic growth at 6 percent, the new capital isn't just "hot money" looking for quick returns
but investment in a potentially lucrative and large market. The country's population of 230 million
includes an expanding middle class, and economic growth is increasingly fueled by local demand for
consumer and other products.

Analysts look at the exploding sales of things such as motorcycles - up to 7 million a year, a boon for
companies and the banks that finance the purchases - and see a market likely to retain the interest of
investors even if there is another shock to the world system.

"The growth story in Asia is a good one," said Bejoy Das Gupta, an Asia analyst with the Institute of
International Finance. "There are large economies doing well, the corporations are doing well and the
region is doing well, and people are buying into that."

But the effect of U.S. policy remains a matter of concern - not just the latest Fed actions to expand the
money supply but also the inevitable return to tighter conditions. It might not happen soon, but "at some
point they will have to contract," said Eugene Galbraith, president commissioner of local bank BCA.

"There could be sort of an undertow that hurts smaller, open economies," he said.

Hindrances to U.S. Exports - Indonesia's Trade Economy

As reported in the Washington Post November 6, 2010

"In Indonesia, Hindrances to U.S. Exports"

By Howard Schneider
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 6, 2010; A08

In plotting a path to boost U.S. exports, the Obama administration has turned a keen eye to the trillions of dollars Indonesia and other Asian nations plan to spend on power plants, transportation and other infrastructure in coming years, expecting it to boost American makers of heavy equipment and other top companies. But the view offered by Indonesian and business officials familiar with the country is more measured: Don't bet on it.

China, Japan and South Korea have made deep inroads into the Indonesian market over the past 15 years, even as the United States slipped as a source of its imports, and nearby countries such as Malaysia and Australia are aiming to benefit from increasingly tight regional ties. Often backed by government financing, firms from other Asian nations already are putting up the power plants, building the roads and coordinating major projects. Local energy companies boast of importing new bulldozers and machinery from China, and when Indonesia announced the first 10 exploration contracts under a major geothermal energy program, U.S. firms were held to a minor role - a disappointing outcome in a market the White House has set as a priority.

As part of an effort to kindle the American presence, President Obama has scheduled a stop here next week on his tour of Asian nations considered vital to the U.S. economy. 

The Obama administration hopes to double total U.S. exports in the next few years to generate American jobs. The administration has identified six countries where officials believe the United States can do better, and Indonesia is by far the biggest of those target markets.

U.S. firms are long-established here in the energy and mining industries, and Boeing is in the midst of supplying upstart discount carrier Lion Air with dozens of new planes. The latest group of 30 aircraft was financed with help from the Export-Import Bank.

But U.S. officials say that recent regulations adopted by Indonesia - rather than opening the market in areas of U.S. expertise - have heightened restrictions on industries important to U.S. exports, such as pharmaceuticals, energy and telecommunications. Indonesia has long favored local companies over foreign ones. It also coaxes foreign business partners to create jobs locally rather than back home. Several new Indonesian policies aim at reinforcing those trends, according to a recent Commerce Department report.

"The Indonesian government has not really decided what role it wants the private sector to play," said James Castle, a longtime business consultant here and vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia.

He said Indonesia gives an edge to companies from countries willing to grant concessions. Other nations "come with money to support their businesses. The U.S. government does not, then we complain about access," Castle said, pointing to Japan's recent commitment of $54 billion to improve roads and shipping facilities.

As the world's largest Muslim-majority country and a developing democracy, Indonesia figures prominently in U.S. thinking about Asia.

The country is also a major emerging economy, with 230 million people, rich natural resources and an expanding middle class. After a crippling financial crisis in the 1990s, the country opened its capital markets and banking sector, and imposed tight rules on lending. Its government debt and annual deficits are conservative even by Asia's modest standards. The country has also tried to combat the cronyism and corruption long rampant here.

Nor was it badly hurt by the recent downturn in the global economy. With economic planners putting a premium on developing the country's internal manufacturing and consumer markets, Indonesia is not that reliant on exports for growth, so the decline in overall world trade was not that damaging.

Indonesia's economic policy remains a work in progress. Some here describe it as "plutocrats versus technocrats" - with certain government agencies pushing to open the economy while others hew to economic nationalism or work to protect influential local interests.

The anti-corruption drive might in theory make competition fairer, but it has also created difficulties. Some contracting officials are now so price-sensitive - for fear of being accused of taking kickbacks - that U.S. and European firms whose higher-quality goods and services are relatively expensive are put at a disadvantage. New power plants built by Chinese firms, for example, came cheap but rely on outmoded coal technology, local officials say.

And there are other hurdles for U.S. exporters. Major Asian car companies already manufacture vehicles here, and, in the case of Toyota, Indonesia has become an export hub as well. Imported cars with larger engines - the sort American dealers might sell - are hit with stiff tariffs. Nor did the United States emerge as a major supplier of military equipment. An embargo on military sales, which Washington had imposed in the 1990s because of human rights abuses by the Indonesian armed forces, was lifted in 2005. Two years later, officials in Jakarta announced an arms deal worth $1 billion with Russia, saying it would help Indonesia remain independent of the United States.

Yet there is enormous commercial potential in helping Indonesia develop its infrastructure. The needs are stark, requiring about $218 billion over the next five years, according to the state planning agency. Jakarta, an ill-planned megacity of roughly 10 million, can't generate enough electricity. The capital's badly congested transportation system needs redesign and expanded public transit. The country's rail system is overburdened and its ports inadequate.

Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana said the government can only pay for about a quarter of what Indonesia needs. So when a country such as Japan comes along offering to help build a light-rail line to the airport or a subway for Jakarta, there's a receptive audience. Bids for initial subway work are to go out next year, said one Indonesian official. But under the terms of the financing offered by the Japanese, only Japanese firms can compete.

"What I've seen in the developed countries, their interest in us is evolving and it has been very good," Alisjahbana said. "Japan, Australia, others, they've laid a basis for better cooperation."

Indonesian officials, heartened by their country's success in avoiding the worst of the global economic crisis, see little reason to lighten up and give foreign companies a free pass to sell exports here.

"The Americans who come here are doing well," said Sofjan Wanandi, chairman of the Employers Association of Indonesia, a business lobby. "But they only want to sell. We want investment and added value. . . . Put a refinery here. Put a petrochemical plant here. Negotiate." 

Day of Sacrifice

As reported by What's New Jakarta:

Goats and cattle taking over Jakarta!: For those new to Jakarta, you may be befuddled by the increasing appearance of goats and cattle along the roadsides, and even the regular sightings of goats being transported precariously slung over the seats of motorbikes! This is a yearly sight in the lead up to the Muslim celebration of Idul Adha, also known as the ‘day of sacrifice’. Practiced throughout the Muslim world, it commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael. God apparently intervened though, and substituted Ishmael with a sheep instead. Muslims therefore commemorate this by sacrificing an animal and distributing its meat amongst family, friends and as an act of charity, to those underprivileged.  This allows many poor Indonesians the opportunity, once a year, to eat meat, a commodity they can rarely afford. Many expatriates in Jakarta also participate by buying a goat or a cow and donating it to their local mosque to be sacrificed and distributed in the local community. Goats typically are sold for between Rp 800,000 to Rp 3 million and cows Rp 6-16 million. So Selamat Iduh Adha everyone!

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I am all for feeding the poor and indigent; but the sight on local TV of livestock lying on the ground partially slaughtered with their throats slashed and still kicking or flailing in a pool of their own blood while on-lookers appear to revel in the event is rather disturbing.  There's a right way and a wrong way to bleed an animal out.  If you're going to "do the deed" of immolation then for Heaven's sake do it quickly and HUMANELY and put the animal out of its misery!  

There's a difference between forbearance, abstention, forfeiture, relinquishment or offering up something for an act of "sacrificing"; and causing an animate object to purposely suffer...  There is a way you can kill, "sacrifice", or home slaughter livestock very quickly without causing the animal to endure suffering.



Here's what the Australian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has to say:


"RSPCA Australia is opposed to the sale at (street) markets and saleyards of individual farm animals destined for home slaughter because it cannot be guaranteed that such animals will be humanely and competently handled, transported and then killed. Such practices may occur, for example, during certain religious festivals where it is common to sacrifice an animal, e.g. a goat, sheep or cow.

Our policy on transport of food animals states that we support the humane slaughter of food animals as near as possible to the point of production. Our policy on humane killing states that an animal must be killed instantly or instantaneously rendered insensible to pain until death supervenes. In addition, the method of killing and the skill of the operator are essential aspects of the slaughtering process. For instance, the RSPCA considers shooting by firing a bullet into the brain to be the most consistent and reliable means of humanely killing an animal."

Roman Catholic Church in Indonesia

Jakarta Cathedral (Indonesian: Gereja Katedral Jakarta) is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta, currently Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo.

Its official name is "Gereja Santa Maria Pelindung Diangkat Ke Surga" (from Dutch, De Kerk van Onze Lieve Vrouwe ten Hemelopneming, in English: The Church of our Lady of Assumption). This current cathedral was consecrated in 1901 and built in the neo-gothic style, a common architectural style to build churches at that time.

U.S. Citizen Faces Caning in Singapore for Visa Overstay

An American businessman is facing the prospect of being caned in Singapore after overstaying his visa by almost half a year.  Kamari Kenyada Charlton, 37, could be the first American in 16 years to be caned in the strict city-state.




Mr. Kamari was arrested at Changi Airport on September 1st as he was attempting to leave the country.  He had remained in Singapore 169 days after his three month social visit visa had expired on March 15th.

I am not sure how strict or what the punishment or sanctions would be the Indonesian government for someone who overstayed a limited term stay visa here; but it is totally STUPID to willingly and knowingly violate any country's immigrations laws and regulations. 

Now if only the United States would do a public flogging and humiliation of all the visa overstays that we catch in America before deporting them!  People travel to America on various types of limited term visas, then simply never leave.  We have a HUGE problem with both legal and illegal immigration in the U.S. and protecting our border with Mexico.

Religious Freedom in Indonesia ?

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 11/10/2010 10:28 AM | Headlines

  |

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised the inclusive philosophy embraced by Indonesian Muslims.  Obama said he visited the Istiqlal Grand Mosque as a Christian and was welcomed by the Grand Mosque official. The official told him all human beings were God’s followers.

Obama also said Istiqlal, which means Independence, was a symbol of Indonesia’s struggle for independence, adding that the fact that it was designed by a Christian architect was a reflection of Indonesia’s pluralist philosophy.

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I am sure the discovery of the architect of the Muslim Istiqlal Grand Mosque being a Christian was AFTER-THE-FACT, and not before or during construction !

     


What were they going to do after it was already built, tear it down ?  Do you really believe that the Indonesian building officials would have approved the building and architectural plans knowing in advance that the architect was a Christian ?!   So, President Obama using this a causal relationship or juxtaposition to show "pluralist philosophy" is erroneous and highly misleading.  Do you really believe that when the Muslin Grand Mosque was being envisioned and commissioned that the Indonesian government set out to make a "statement" for future generations by having it designed by a Christian architect?!   Please Mr. President, do not insult our intelligence here! Perhaps the architect converted later from Muslim to Christian, and at the time the building plans were drafted and envisioned, the architect was still a Muslim.  Let's get our facts straight here, Mr. President, before we draw any conclusions. 

I am not sure how sincere that welcome really was.  As a Christian (Catholic) myself, I attend Christian worship services each Sunday here in Jakarta.  I asked my wife why all the churches we have been going to have been located in shopping malls or other commercial/retail type of buildings and not a stand-alone separate church building structure or on land as we know a "church" to be in America.  She informed me that the Government of Indonesia will not issue (or makes it so difficult, cost prohibitive, or bureaucratically prohibitive) for a building use-permit to be issued for a separate stand-alone Christian church on separate land.. So we are "permitted" to worship here as Christians, but are somewhat hidden from plain view or site by such "isolationism" in this country which has the largest Muslim population in the world.  Muslims constitute approximately 86% of the population in Indonesia; whereas only 9% of the population here is Christian.

I am not sure what "pluralist philosophy" President Obama is referring to here, but I as a local resident expat am not seeing any manifestation of it.  Christian worship tolerance and "isolationism" perhaps, but not true "pluralist" integration in society here as President Obama would have you believe.

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Although religious freedom is stipulated in the Indonesian constitution, the government officially recognizes only six religions; Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Although it is not an Islamic state, Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, with 86.1% of Indonesians declared Muslim according to the 2000 census. 9% of the population is Christian.

Notwithstanding any such declaration of "religious freedom" in the Indonesian Constitution, one can clearly see where Christianity is being quashed, repressed or "controlled" here through official government and bureaucratic processes which aim to clearly restrict Christianity in Indonesia.  There is in fact a government agency, The Ministry of Religious Affairs, whose objective is to do just that; quash, suppress or "control" Christianity in Indonesia.  Their website states, with regard to Christian "Guidance" and official government policy, that their objective is to:

• formulate and define the vision, mission, policy and technical guidance in the field of Christian community based on the implementation of policies established by the Minister and based on Regulation of legislation that applies;
• formulation of standardization, norms, guidelines, criteria, procedures and guidance in the field of Christian community;
• implementation of policy guidance in the field of Christian community;
• provision of technical evaluation and implementation tasks;
• implementation of the directorate-general administration.

 
There cannot be true "religious freedom" when a particular faith is so regulated as stipulated above.  Moreover, how can a government declare true "religious freedom" when it only recognizes 6 of the nearly 42 or more basic belief systems in the world?!  Furthermore, true "religious freedom" would include the right to worship, or not to worship or be subject to any religion or have any religion imposed on you, as the case may be. 

Here in Jakarta, at around 6:00 p.m. in the evening across ALL local broadcast TV stations a Muslim prayer or invocation is broadcast.  Imagine if the U.S. had a requirement for ALL local broadcast TV stations to have a moment of Christian prayer ?  That would actually be a good thing; but the U.S. recognizes true religious freedom, separation of church and state, and the freedom to NOT practice a religion or have one imposed on you.  So while Indonesia declares "religious freedom" in its Constitution, one is free to only practice 6 religions AND one MUST or SHALL be subjected to Muslim prayers and holidays.  What type of "freedom" is that?!

Under a true Constitutional decree or proclamation of "religious freedom" their would be no governmental "Ministry of Religious Affairs" to promulgate laws, rules and regulations on the practice of one's faith... you would be free to practice your faith without governmental control or interference.

U.S. President Barak Obama Visits Indonesia

As reported by the Jakarta Post:

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised the progress of democracy and development in Indonesia.

“Democracy and development reinforce one another,” he said in a public lecture at the University of Indonesia.

The road toward becoming a democracy was not always easy, Obama said, adding that the journey was worth taking because it would create an open market, free press, accountability of government, and an open society.

Prosperity without democracy was false, he said.

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Democracy creating "free press" in Indonesia, Mr. President ? Really ? Perhaps President Obama should have addressed this issue of book banning in Indonesia which is NOT demonstrative of "free press" - quite the contrary actually, Mr. President. What about children (leisure or official school text) books? What about the libraries?  Will we find "free press" here?  Indonesia may be a "democracy" when it comes to its elections; but NOT a true democracy when it comes to freedom of religion and free press.   

http://brianindonesiaexpat.blogspot.com/2010/10/censorship-in-indonesia-books-banned.html

Lost in Translation ?

This past weekend my wife Voni (who is Indonesian) and I visited the Gumati Cafe & Resto which is a small resort type of place with some outdoor type of recreation activities.  As we were walking the grounds she asked me in her "Englis" (as I do not speak Bahasa) if i would like to go "take a flying fuks"



Needless to say I was rather shocked, and asked her to repeat it to make sure I had heard her correctly.  She repeated it a couple times, and I was still perplexed why she was giving me such an invitation!  Finally, we came to a spot, and she pointed over and said; there...THAT is the "flying fuks"




As it turned out, the "flying fuks" is the flying FOX, which to us in American English is called a "zip-line"




Here is the scene of the invitation for me to go take a "flying fuks" (you can see the zip line in the right side of the picture going down from the bluff across the water below)

Anyway, just a funny little anecdote how things can get "lost in translation."   I am sure she has some good ones on me too trying to say certain words in Bahasa.