Indonesia report
Indonesians long for the "good" times when Suharto ruled. Economy was growing. There was social mobility and Indonesians were proud of the "Asian Values". Then crisis struck. USD115billion flew out the country as did the Chinese business business people. From there on was only downhill.
Cut to 2004. Thailand and Malaysia have recovered and Indonesia is stuck. Country faces Balkanization and a there have been terrorist attacks. Businesses which were settling in Jakarta, during the 90s, flew to Kuala Lumpur seeking safety and better infrastructure.
There was a disastruos transition, Habibie, a creation of Suharto, a blind president representative of the Moslem majority and Megawati. All tried and failed. Indonesians voted once -for the legislative assembly- and could be voting twice again this year for president iof they don't elect a candidate with a 50% majority early July.
Last election Golkar -frormer Suharto party, won the majority. Now Wiranto is going to have a go at at it for the presidency.
He's former KOPASSUS commander. KOPASSUS is the elite troops of Indoensia, the only one well equipped paid and trained. This man symbolizes a lot of what Indoensiasn want: security, end of the terror threat and potenatrial return of the good old days. It can work.
Bush would love an Indonesian president who would secure Indonesia once again. Malaysia, and the whole South East Asia, would love to have the threat removed. Since the siatuation is so bad, Wiranto just have to do a little and the populace to feel a tangible improvement. Lets say the World Bank, and FMI chip in USD10bln. Lets put some FDI as Europeans invest USD10billion. Singapore and Malaysia USD5 billion, Asutralia 1 billion or 2 and the Chinese -who flew out during the crisis fearing for their lives- get guarantees they can do business without being disturbed and repatriate some USD10billion. This happening economy get back on tracvk and Wiranto is sung in verse and prose and Indonesians will once again be happy.
Elmat is feeling very safe here now. The bombs (Bali and Marriot Hotekl) have done their 'job', scared the people and neighboring countries to death -which now want, above all, security and Indonesia in the hands of a strong man is the way to go- will no longer need to be detonated since solution is on its way. Capice?
Since I haven;t mentioned pizza:you should consider waving that pizza I lost in the case of the Iraq war. This analysis is too good :-) |
