In a softer tone and approach, Megawati, the fifth President of Indonesia sent a strong message to the IMF in her annual state-of-the-nation address. Her father, Sukarno, who also was the first President of Indonesia, was well known for his anti-IMF program. His well known phrase include ‘Go to Hell with your aid’ which was followed by Indonesia’s subsequent withdrawal from the United Nations, what was later known as ‘isolationist policy’.
This is by far her best state of the nation address…. I am giving her 5 out of 5 for this…….
Here are the snapshots of her speech in issues that are relevant to the world today:
This is what Megawati has to say to IMF: (and the very reason I am SO PROUD of her and why i would vote for her again in the second round)
“Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have provided us with much assistance, and for this reason we express our deep gratitude. However, we also need to pay attention to the acknowledgement of the IMF that has honestly and openly admitted the existence of errors in their recommendation to our government in 1997. The problem lies in that it was also those errors that became the precursors to the policy of liquidity assistance that nearly bankrupted our monetary system. In reality, a mere admission of mistake may not be enough, for up to the present time we still have to bear the brunt of the impact from the mistake of those recommendations.
It is true that part of that responsibility rests upon our very shoulders, since the implementation of those recommendations is indeed dependent on our approval. However, it is similarly natural — even highly proper — that the IMF professionally and proactively takes remedial actions, by among others taking steps that could help alleviate the burden of our national debt that emanated as a result of the mistake of those recommendations. At the very least, the IMF should be willing to initiate the reschedulling of the servicing of our debts so that a greater amount of fund is available for the development of the welfare of our people.
I am conveying these precisions, for Indonesia is a good member of the IMF that, other than loyally servicing its national debt and its interest timely, is also complying with every agreement that we have reached after concluding the co-operation with the IMF. We have, all this time, listened to their suggestions and recommendations, and it is now high time for them to also listen to our normal and legitimate complaints, and make amends to maintain and restore their reputation in our eyes. For this reason, in order not to prolong the difficulties arising as result of the 1997 monetary crisis, in 2003, in compliance with the mandate stipulated in Decree Number VI/MPR/2002 or in Decision Number 5/MPR/2003, I have decided to put an end to the co-operation with the IMF. In a broader scale, that measure is also intended as an effort to gradually decrease our dependence on foreign lending while simultaneously increase the effort for our self-reliance. “
On the issue of human rights, she succintly put this forward:
“With regard to the settlement of cases of grave violations of human rights, I can state that, in the case of the 1999 East Timor, several cases have been investigated and decided by the court, some of those cases have acquired legal permanency. Excepting for the case of Trisakti and Semanggi that up to this moment is still awaiting for the supplementaries from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the settlement of the Tanjung Priok and Abepura cases have also now been sent to the Court.
I am following closely and listening attentively to the discourses or opinions on these human rights trial processes. I am aware that, here and there, statements or even unsatisfied sentiments have been expressed with respect to the process and decision of those legal entities. Through this occasion, I would like to state that up to a certain point, we indeed must respect whatever decisions are taken by the legal agencies investigating and deciding those human rights cases. In line with the spirit of reform, the government takes a consistent stance and does not intervene in the functions and authorities of legal entities. Hence, one of the essences of reform, when we all have to keep the three supporting pillars of the state power in the executive, legislative, and judicative branches standing and functioning in equality.
As a nation, we realize how strenuous the settlement of such human rights cases can be. Different from the impact of criminal acts in general, cases left behind by human rights violations tend to leave a deep scar. For this reason, in order to settle our historical burden in handling issues of human rights violations, specifically prior to the enactment of Law Number 26 of 2000, the Government has submitted a Bill on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for deliberations and approval by the House of Representatives in the near future. “
On the issue of corruption, she argued :
“Similarly to the human rights cases, I also believe that not one among us is satisfied with the sluggishness of the settlement of those (ed: corruption) legal cases. However, as I have previously elaborated, the final decision of the series of legal process rests in the hands of the court that is clearly outside of the reach the authority of the government.”
On the issue of foreign relation:
“The actualization of the principle of free and active was also applied through the equilibrating of relations with countries of the world. We do not solely maintain and improve our bilateral relations with countries formerly known as the Western block, but also with other countries. We wove once again and improve our ties with Russia and many countries previously regarded as members of the Eastern block, with the People�s Republic of China, with the Democratic People�s Republic of Korea, and even with Mongolia. Our relations were not restricted to inter-governmental ones, we even encouraged, particularly our business community, to come forward and take more initiative in substantiating them with trade co-operation.”
Israel vs Palestine:
“With particular reference to the Middle East region, we still reaffirm the consistent position of Indonesia that supports the struggle of the Palestinian people against Israel. “
Iraq:
“In the Iraq case, from the very initial stages we have also strongly condemned the unilateral act ignoring the multilateral process through the United Nations. We also support the decision of the United Nations Security Council that adopted resolution 1546 (2004), which serves as the basis the process of transition toward ending foreign occupation and fully restoring the sovereignity of Iraq as a country.”
i am SOOOOOOOOO PROUD of her…. she got my vote for the second round!!!! cant wait for her address for independence day!!!
(Full text of her speech in English can be found here )
