Indonesia's Democracy a Success, SBY Says

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.