Jakarta Globe, Robertus Wardi, April 22, 2013
Singapore\'s President Tony Tan, right, confers an honorary doctorate to Indonesia\'s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a ceremony in Singapore on Monday.(Reuters Photo/Edgar Su) |
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President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says that democracy and economic growth can work hand
in hand, despite criticisms saying that the two are not mutually exclusive.
“There was
a time decades ago when Indonesians felt that we had to choose between two
critical objectives, either a lot of democracy but little economic growth or a
lot of economic growth but little political freedom,” Yudhoyono said in
Singapore on Monday during a ceremony at
Nanyang Technological University, where he received an honorary
doctorate from the university.
Yudhoyono
explained that in Indonesia’s case, such stereotypes did not exist, adding that
Indonesia’s economy was growing steadily at a rate of 6 percent and public
participation in the country’s general and local elections were high.
“We have
become a solid democracy with three periodic elections in 1999, 2004 and 2009,
while at the same time attaining high economic growth around 6 percent,”
Yudhoyono said.
“Thus we
have demonstrated that democracy and economic growth can be mutually
reinforcing.”
Yudhoyono
praised his four-track development strategy — pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor
and pro-environment — for the country’s economic development.
“I have
also emphasized the need for a development framework based on the principle of
‘sustainable growth with equity,’ where the expanding economic pie does not
produce larger inequity but leads to greater equity,” he added.
The
president also stressed the central government’s efforts to promote a resilient
and vibrant domestic market, which contributes to strong economic growth.
“I am
pleased that these strategies have proven effective in keeping the Indonesian
economy afloat in the midst of a global economic slowdown,” he said.
Yudhoyono
also tackled the global perception that Islam and democracy could not work
together. The president said that he believed Indonesia was a good example to
highlight how democracy, modernization and Islam worked hand in hand.
“Muslims in
Indonesia are very comfortable with democracy and with modernity. Thus, the
Indonesian democracy may well offer valuable lessons to Arab Spring countries
who are now facing similar challenges,” Yudhoyono said, adding that the
country’s Islamic political parties played a significant role to promote
democracy.
“Yes,
Islamic political parties at some point proliferated, but they have also become
staunch defenders of our democracy and our religious freedom.”
During his
speech, Yudhoyono also stressed the importance of democracy on keeping the
national unity in relation to separatist conflicts in Aceh and Papua, serious
violence in Poso and Ambon, and terrorist attacks across the country.
“There was
some concern... that democracy would lead to the unraveling of Indonesia. This
is because Indonesia is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the
world, and some predicted that the next ‘Balkan’ would be in Indonesia,” he
said.
“But I am
pleased that the strengthening of our democracy has brought about numerous
positive impacts.”
Yudhoyono
was in Singapore to receive an honorary doctorate from the Nanyang Technological
University for his contributions to public service and strong links to the
university.
Both of his
sons Agus Harimurti and Edhie Baskoro also earned their masters’ degrees from
the univeristy.
“I am glad
I am following in their footsteps,” Yudhoyono said.
Yudhoyono
also met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday.
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