Note on Indonesia-Russia Relations

NOTE ON INDONESIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS

Indonesia-Russia relation is unique. It is different from other relation that Indonesia has with other countries. Its uniqueness lies in the presence of several factors. First is the extreme geographical distance between Indonesia and Russia. Second is the barrier of culture and language. Third is the legacy of history. This condition creates its own problem and prospects. What are the problems and what are the prospects ? Let’s take a look at the following facts.

The distance.

The geographical distance between Indonesia and Russia is extreme. It is so far that relations is only possible in the modern era. For ages Russia is unknown for Indonesian people and so is Indonesia for Russian people. The good news is there is no territorial dispute. But it also creates barrier. There is no emotional and cultural ties either. Another barrier is culture and language. Russian characters and language is completely unknown for Indonesian people.

The Early years.

Most of the Indonesian leaders during the struggle for independence were Nationalist. Most of them were educated in the west (The Netherlands). Consequently they were influenced by western political ideology. Very few of them were communist. So the influence of the Soviet Union in the struggle for independence was minor.

Frank Weinstein in his book, Indonesian Foreign Policy and the Dilemma of Dependence from Sukarno to Soeharto, wrote that most of the foreign policy elite (6 of 8) had a negative initial impression on Soviet Union. For them Soviet Union and PKI (Partai Komunis Indonesia – Communist Party of Indonesia)were no different and therefore it was unreliable partner for Indonesia. But for some of them Soviet Union had a positive side because it was a threat to European colonialist. The positive impressions got better when in 1946 the Soviet Union support their struggle in the UN. The Soviet policy on Irian ( Papua) issue, rebellions, and confrontation with Malaysia strengthen the positive impression. But the negative impressions remained. They cited dictatorship, closed society, favorable to PKI. So their suspicion remained stronger than their trust.

The negative impression was confirmed when in 1948 there was a rebellion of communist in Madiun, east Java who wanted to built ‘The Soviet Republic of Madiun’. Muso, its leader was a communist cadre of the Soviet Russia. At that time Indonesia was not completely free from the Dutch colonialism. Indonesia was still struggling for freedom. The freedom fighters fought using guerrilla tactics while the civilian by using diplomacy to rally international support. So communist rebellion was considered as a stab at the back, a betrayal to national goal.

When Sukarno came to power after independence, his relation with the West deteriorated and his relation with the Eastern bloc strengthened. Since 1956 Indonesia began to receive substantial amount of foreign aid from Soviet Union and east Europe. Indonesian weapons were mainly Russian made at that time. Indonesia bought MIG fighters, Tupolev bombers and Kalasnikov guns. The Soviet union also built the biggest stadium in Indonesia which still exist today – the Senayan football stadium. Besides they also built hospital and several well known statues in Jakarta. Indonesia – Russia relations especially in politics reached its peak under Sukarno.

But then the abortive coup by the PKI (Communist Party of Indonesia) in October 1965 that took many lives of Indonesian generals triggered an anti communist sentiment among Indonesian people. Consequently the relations of both countries reached the lowest level but it never really cut off.

When Soeharto rose to power, the idea of active and free foreign policy came to center stage. But the its interpretation vary. For Soeharto foreign policy must serve the country’s economic needs and maintain balance relationship with both blocs. The elite’s view , however, were ambivalent. Some of them wanted foreign policy as aid-seeking efforts while the other wanted it to be truly independent and active. Most of them defined an independent policy as maximum effort to maintain balance in relations with power blocs. Smaller numbers defined it as balanced relations desirable but not essential. About the same number defined it as just no pacts.

Active policy means that Indonesia should play an international role is Southeast Asia and even world role. They wanted to be a leader of the third world. Most of them thought that Indonesia must take a leading role at international conferences at least in Southeast Asia. So under Soeharto Indonesian relations with Soviet Union was less intense compared to Sukarno era. In reality Indonesia was closer to the West than to Eastern bloc.

After the fall of Suharto in 1998 Indonesia has experienced a significant transition from dictatorship to democracy. Now Indonesia is the most democratic country in South east Asia. While Russia is now also a democratic country where communist party is just a minor party there and not a ruling party. This condition is ideal to erase suspicion from the Indonesian side. So besides the problems the two countries also have prospects.

Since Russia and Indonesia are two emerging economies, it is time to strengthen the bilateral relationship. It is time to create a comprehensive partnership which includes economy, military, education etc. Take tourism for example, thousands of Russian people come to Indonesia. But very few Indonesian tourist come to Russia. Indonesia has many tourism destinations, not only Bali, that can be offered to Russian tourists. Maybe Russian investors can invest in tourism. When more and more Russian tourists come to Indonesia it is time to build Russian hotel or restaurants in Indonesia. and when more and more Indonesian people can afford to go abroad, it is time to sell Russian destination to them and perhaps to build Indonesian restaurants in Russia. Today more Indonesian people want to work as tourist guide. Some of them can take Russian language as their specialization. Most Indonesian people do not speak English. Even those who often go abroad do not speak English well. That’s why Indonesian tourist in Russia need Indonesian speaking guides. This is a new opportunities in tourism.

Indonesia has another potential – in handicraft business. For along time Indonesia has been producing and exporting many kinds of handicraft such as rattan, leather, wood carving, batik, silver, gold and many other. Most of them exports their products to United States, Japan, Western Europe, Australia and Canada. Very few of them have Russian buyers.

Indonesia has oil. So far most of the old players are from America and western Europe. Since this sector is very promising it is time for Russian investors to take a part of the pie. Russian investors can invest in Indonesian oil and gas industry.

In the military sector Indonesia used to possess Russian made Mig fighters and Tupolev bomber and Kalasnikov guns during the era of President Sukarno. Under Suharto Indonesia has bought Sukhoi fighters. Since Indonesia needs more arms to defend its vast territory. But maybe there is a problem of payment. A military analyst wrote that it is still unsolved.

In short, the present situation in international politics, domestics politics, economy and social are favorable to develop the relationship of both countries. Perhaps it is the best time to develop the Russian – Indonesia relationship. Traditional barrier like distance is now not a serious problem. Language and culture are not only barrier. Today we can change them into business opportunity of language course, tourism and perhaps book publishing and movie production.