The Age [Australia], August 28, 2004
Indonesia again a neighbour to be reckoned with
By Tony Parkinson
Australian governments should speak up about the trial of the Bali bombers and
Indonesia's willingness to deal with Jemaah Islamiah.
For two years, governments in Australia and Indonesia have worked quietly and
resolutely to rebuild mutual trust . . . until this week's relapse into another of their
intermittent bouts of convulsions and recriminations.
First came a decision by an Indonesian court to abort the prosecution of confessed
terrorist, Idris, on charges relating to the Bali bombings. Stern words from Canberra
met with indignation in Jakarta. "Butt out," snapped one official. Then came news that
Canberra would be purchasing cruise missiles. This time, Indonesia protested about
Australia "arming itself to the teeth".
Periodic strains and stresses are unavoidable in this relationship. It is a function of the
tyranny of proximity between two neighbours with vastly different histories and
cultures, an awkwardness much exacerbated by the recent traumas of East Timor
and Bali.
But the real worry for both countries is that these surface tensions reflect deeper
undercurrents of concern - popular prejudices, perhaps - about their long-term
capacity to co-exist harmoniously.
The Idris controversy coincided with the release of an extensive study by the
Australian National University's Professor Ian McAllister of public attitudes towards
defence. His most perturbing finding was that Indonesia is rated by one in three
Australians as by far the greatest threat to our security. This should be a troubling
phenomenon for Jakarta and Canberra alike.
The only official exchange of fire between Australian and Indonesian troops occurred
35 years ago, in Borneo. Strategic assessments by Canberra over the past 20 years
have judged consistently that Indonesia, as a state, has no intention whatsoever, nor
necessarily the military capability, to threaten Australia. Yet many Australians do not
view Indonesia benignly. Why?
Over the past 30 years, Australians have been squeamish onlookers to the East
Timor invasion, the deaths of five journalists at Balibo, the Dili massacre, and brutality
in Aceh and West Papua.
In 1999, public alarm peaked with the militia violence surrounding East Timor's
independence vote, compounded by the suspicion, since confirmed, that the killing,
looting and burning were carried out with the acquiescence, if not active support, of
key Indonesian military figures. None of these officers have been brought to justice.
Then came Bali. The worst terrorist attack ever on Australians was launched by
Indonesian extremists, on Indonesian soil. Is it conceivable they, too, might find a way
to escape justice?
This week's decision by the Indonesian courts was in no way a reflection of official
attitudes in Jakarta towards the cold-blooded murder of holiday-makers. Rather, it was
merely a lower court applying the legal principle of a ruling from Indonesia's new
Constitutional Court, which means anti-terrorism laws introduced after the Bali
atrocities cannot be applied retrospectively.
But this will be of little consolation to the families of victims, especially if it
establishes a precedent under which convicted bombers, such as Amrozi, might have
sentences overturned.
What is ironic - and sad - is that this issue threatens to cut across perhaps the
greatest opportunity these two societies have had to engage each other properly. As
a society, Indonesia is reinventing itself. Almost 150 million Indonesians voted
peacefully in March to elect a new Parliament. On September 20, they will choose
their first directly elected president.
Yet in entrenching a democratic culture, Indonesia faces multiple challenges:
reforming its institutions, and rebuilding a stressed economy, at the same time as
waging a struggle to halt the spread of religious extremism. In the battle for hearts and
minds, moderates have to contend with a vocal but influential minority eager to exploit
xenophobic, anti-Western impulses.
That being so, reformers argue they can do without running commentary on
Indonesia's failings from a conspicuous Western neighbour. Any perception of
Australian interference will, they say, only play into the hands of the extremists.
Fair enough. But governments in Australia also have an obvious and legitimate
interest in the capture and trial of the Bali mass murderers.
Any serious question marks over the capacity of the Indonesian courts to deliver
justice will raise fundamental doubts in Australia about the willingness of Indonesian
society to tackle head-on the ultra-violent and predatory ideologies of Jemaah
Islamiah. The outcome goes directly to the safety and security of Australian citizens.
Realistically, there can be no code of silence.
Copyright © 2004. The Age Company Ltd.
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