Obama's Foreign Policy, Islam and Indonesia

OBAMA’S FOREIGN POLICY, ISLAM AND INDONESIA

President Obama’s foreign policy toward Islam is totally different from that of President Bush. He said in Turkey that the US is not and never will be at war with Islam. Several month before he signed an order to close Guantanamo where all detainee are Muslim. Then he gave a friendly gesture to Iran and the middle east. He also promised to withdraw American troops from Iraq. Up to now at least his rhetoric is good although we still have to wait for its actual implementation. Hopefully in the future we can expect a cooling down in the relationship between US and Islamic countries. Leaders from many Islamic countries like Iran gave a warm response to Obama’s signal. But good relationship is not the result of rhetoric alone. It needs hard work, dialog and talk. In the process perhaps both sides need an inter mediator that meets several requirements. What are the requirements ? And How about Indonesia ?

Neutrality is an important factor for any country to become fair and just. It is impossible to stay fair and just when a country is anti or pro any sides. Thus countries that can play a role as an inter mediator must be neutral in the conflict.

Second factor is acceptability. Any country wanting to become an inter mediator must be acceptable for both parties. Without acceptability it is impossible for any country to become one.

Third factor is capability. Capability here means not only its leader’s capability but also its international standing. Its leaders must have a proven capability of conflict resolution. Furthermore the country must have a good international standing. In addition its top leadership must be able to play a role as a top diplomat.

Can Indonesia play an important role in the process of rapprochement between US and Islam ? Let’s see these facts.

Formally Indonesia is not an Islamic state although the majority are Muslims. It is a republic which is based on a state philosophy called Panca Sila or the five principles and a secular constitution. The 1945 constitution have been amended several times so today it is more democratic than before. Since the fall of Suharto in 1998 Indonesia has become a democratic country where minority’s rights are protected although the majority are Muslims. Now there are free elections, press and political parties.

The current Islamic parties are moderate. In the April election there are five Islamic political parties among the top ten. PKS or Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (welfare and justice party) ranks number four in the last election according to quick count results of research institutions. Rank five is Partai Amanat Nasional (National Mandate Party). Then Partai Persatuan Pembangunan or United Development Party. Next is Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (National Awakening Party). After that Partai Bulan Bintang (Crescent and Moon Party). All of them share similar platform. They are all moderate Islamic party. None of them wants an Islamic state. None of them wants Islam as state ideology. None of them tolerates terrorism. And all of them are friendly to the West.

Hidayat Nurwahid is the former leader of PKS. Now he is the chairman of Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (People’s Consultative Assembly) which is a join session between Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (parliament) and Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (local representative). He is one of the most prospective running mate of President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono. In addition President SBY is always on top of the latest polls. He will be elected by more than 50% of all respondents. Therefore it is most likely that he will win the presidential election scheduled in July 2009. PAN, PKB, PPP , and PBB have not decided to make a coalition yet but there are gestures that they will make a coalition with SBY’s Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party). With strong backing from Islamic parties perhaps the next Indonesian government will be dominated by moderate Muslims. Thus their policies will be moderate.

Indonesia has a cordial relationship with Islamic countries and the West. Indonesia is a member of Organization of Islamic Conference. Indonesia has a close relationship with all Islamic countries. Indonesia also has a cordial relationship with the United States. The first trip of the State Secretary Hillary Clinton to Asia including to Indonesia is a sign that US-Indonesia relationship will improve in the near future. Furthermore the personal experience of President Obama who used to live in Indonesia during his childhood is another positive factor.

Indonesia and President SBY have a proven record of conflict resolution. Aceh, and Poso cases are good examples. Aceh is a province in the westernmost part of Indonesia where rebellious party wants to separate from Indonesia. Guerilla warfare took place for decades and took thousands of lives. During his administration President SBY managed to overcome the problem through a long dialog. Today there is no more war in Aceh. It is an autonomous province under the Republic of Indonesia. SBY also managed to reconciliate the conflict between Muslims and Christian in the eastern part of Indonesia through dialog.

The above mentioned facts indicated that Indonesia is neutral in the previous conflict between Bush administration and Islam. Indonesia also has a good international standing at least in the Islamic world and southeast Asia. Indonesia and President SBY have a proven experience and capability of conflict resolution. Indonesian leadership today and in the future is moderate muslims. In short we can say that Indonesia is a neutral country. We can also say that Indonesia is acceptable to the West and Islamic countries. Furthermore Indonesia is capable of managing conflict resolution. So in case United States and Islamic countries need an intermediary, Indonesia is in a good position to play a big role in the process of US –Islam rapprochement.