^ that's why they say "Everything happens for a reason"

Republik Mimpi tv show is one of evidences that democracy rules indonesia. Even France and some europe countries want to adopt this show. They can't believe Indonesian govt allowed this show.

congrats. btw there is sad thing abt this increasingly democratic nation. People of indonesia seem to not fully understand or could not arrange themselves in an orederly manner so that this so called democracy could benefit the nation. It seems to me that for majority, democracy mean go down to street and yell to governement hoping that they would listen to this "handful of people". Sometimes, they failed to realize that government has weighed their decisions so that the overall benefits outweigh the loss that some people might incurred. Moreover, by going down to street, they also have caused losses like traffic congestions, sometimes they also left rubbish behind and the worst is causing damages to public facilities. I believe the current government is too scared to uphold something that they should do. If the demonstration turns to become an anarchy act, these people should be arrested. they have caused losses to not government but the Taxpayers who keep paying for the reparation cost of these facilities. The democracy also mean greater degree of freedom. this give rise to overlapping in many sector of life. For example, like i said earlier, by stopping the mass from going down to street, the govt have violate the democracy basic principle- freedom of speech- but they(govt) have the duty to ensure the safety of public and society even nation stability. There are many overlapping, such that there are no longer any clear boundaries which the citizens have to set limit to their movements. I believe due to poor education system and also very unequal access to REAL education throughout the nation, majority of Indonesians still currently do not have the capabilities to make full use this newly introduced democracy.

What i have said only my opinions, so I believe it is part of freedom of speech. and dont forget my fellow countrymen, in democracy, we also have to accept ridicule, mockery from those who dont agree with us. (this is what i meant by overlapping, as freedom of speech would mean we could even talk about snesitive issues like race,religion,and other heart breaking stuffs. In democracy, by right, racist remarks are allowed. so there are no longer boundaries to where we must stop due to this so called 'freedom'.)

To conclude, to all those read this, democracy could be a double edges sword. so extra careful handling have to be practised.
cheers =)

Indonesian democratization was the "blessing in disguise" from 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
This crisis leads to the fall of Suharto's regime.
What would happen if the crisis didn't take place? Indonesia will be "a little bit" more prosperous, but only can "dream" about democracy. -
Ever think that way guys..?

.........

1998 racial riots, May Tragedy -------> Leads to the end of discriminations against Chinese Indonesian.
Chinese Indonesian can practice their culture and language, all Indonesian has equal rights despite their racial origin. Imlek (Chinese new year) is nationally recognize as national holiday, also the recognition of Confucianism as one of official religions.

Have you ever think that similar racial riots (Pribumi vs Chinese) happened in Malaysia in 1969 was giving quite different results; the "social contract arrangement" that gave Malay and other native special "Pribumi" status that gave them advantage that not enjoyed by Indian and Chinese descends. Riots was lead to the "justification" of discriminations?

i think wat u are referring to is known as the 'mob power'. When france first practised democracy, their 'mob power' was just as strong as what u see in Indonesia now. When there is great disparity of wealth and unequal distribution of resources, 'mob power' is natural. It's evolutionary process for democracy to mature. I hope INdo govt will have the will power to lessen the gulf of wealth and distribution of resources. Then 'mob power' will become obsolete hopefuly.

Republik Mimpi tv show is one of evidences that democracy rules indonesia. Even France and some europe countries want to adopt this show. They can't believe Indonesian govt allowed this show.

What..
Democracy won't make us wealthy...
Stupid word for stupid country...

jangan terlalu gembira...
ni negara... terlalu bangga dengan kedemokrasiannya...
demokrasi tanpa kesejahteraan sama dengan nothing...

mau makan tu demokrasi...

^ any link so I can watch the rerun? what were they talking about?

Welcome, beranjakdewasa. Funny, even though you are sending messages that you are an Indonesian, you speak like a Malaysian. Oh well, won't be the 1st though...

without democracy that you criticise, you may not be able to do what you just did, foo ! Grow up! (oh, baru tau situ masih "beranjakdewasa").

Of course we know there are certain economic threshold to make democracy STABLE, but this country could not show its own greatness before due to suppression it has experienced. Do you realise how difficult now for us to choose competent leaders due to many limitation applied before?

Richard L. Armitage, Arlington, VA

I have watched Indonesia's transition to democracy with great optimism. In the nine years since the demise of the Soeharto regime, the people of Indonesia have taken up the banner of democracy and worked for change. They have demonstrated, gone to the polls, and elected officials with the high hope that they would further the country's advances.

Along this path, there have been great successes. One needs only to look to the 2004 elections for signs of progress. But, in any transition, the path is strewn with hurdles. And, in the case of a democratic transition, it is important to understand that elections are not the end of the road.

Democracy requires the institution of basic principles of fairness and openness -- and the rule of law -- to secure good governance and pave the way toward stability and economic prosperity. Without that, the future of a country and its people suffer. It is in this regard that I seek to highlight the debilitating effects of corruption for Indonesia's future.

I am asked regularly for my advice on the benefits of doing business in Indonesia. Given the optimism I hold for the country, I am genuinely interested in promoting its economic promise. However, in truth, I am also obliged to note the drawbacks of doing business in a country where corruption is perceived to be commonplace.

There are unhappy facts to disclose. Reports suggest that elements within the government and business community remain entrenched in a way of life that accepts corruption as a cost of doing business. There is poor contract enforcement, inconsistent interpretation or arbitrary enforcement of laws and taxes, and inefficient enforcement of intellectual property rights. There have been instances of unequal treatment among foreign investors.

Some have been targeted by unfair allegations and been the subject of negative public opinion campaigns, most often exploiting nationalism as a means to drive certain foreign investors out of the country. Even public bodies meant to enforce correct business practices, such as the Business Competition Supervisory Commission -- the KPPU -- have come under question for their integrity and independence.

For all credible corporations and businesspeople, these facts have a tremendous chilling effect. Large, multinational corporations that otherwise might have approached Indonesian markets with great enthusiasm and resources are considering their options more carefully.

And why wouldn't they when Indonesia is ranked among the lowest third out of 180 countries surveyed for the 2007 Corruption Perception Index prepared by Transparency International, a global anti-corruption civil society organization?

So, predictably, with the uncertainties of doing business in Indonesia have come a dive in investor confidence and a drive to seek opportunities elsewhere. These by-products of corruption are no more clearly seen than in comparisons of economic performance with other ASEAN members. Whereas foreign direct investment in Indonesia fell by a third last year to US$6 billion from $9 billion the previous year, other countries, such as Vietnam, experienced notable increases. In 2006, foreign direct investment in Vietnam topped $10 billion, the highest since it opened its doors to FDI in 1986.

There are also gaps in development where Indonesia lags behind other ASEAN members.

Indonesia's unemployment rate remains high at 10.3 percent in 2006, and approximately 42 percent of the Indonesians are living on $1-2 per day. By any measure, those are poor statistics in a region that is experiencing tremendous economic growth and more particularly for a country that has the intellectual capital, manpower, and natural resources to do better.

Fortunately, there are those in country who are working to improve Indonesia's business environment. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, most notably, has acknowledged corruption as a major problem and has launched initiatives to reform the country's tax, investment, and labor laws. Although these initiatives have stumbled at times in Parliament, their pursuit and ultimate implementation remain vital.

I have no doubt of President Yudhoyono's conviction to stamp out corruption. He has been consistent in highlighting this effort as one of his top priorities. However, his efforts alone have proven insufficient to secure a level of investor confidence that is necessary to meet Indonesia's economic potential. It will take a concerted effort by all Indonesians to reject corrupt practices and demand real reform on the government's part.

As in their drive for democratic processes earlier this decade, Indonesians should turn their attention to what now stands as a significant impediment for stability and prosperity -- corruption. There should be tougher approaches to bringing corrupt officials to justice, efforts to end selectivity in investigations and prosecutions, and further civil service reforms to attract capable, responsible people who can understand and enforce the laws. The Indonesian media also should be encouraged to play a more aggressive role in exposing graft.

I raise this as a burning issue not simply for reasons of financial gain on behalf of foreign investors, but because the effects of corruption for Indonesia are real and stand to undermine the tremendous political and economic strides Indonesia has made in its transition to democracy. Left unchecked, corruption will cause Indonesia to fall further behind in its ability to support its people and their aspirations -- setting the stage for political and economic instability. That would be a terrible tragedy for Indonesia, a country that to date had fostered genuine optimism for its future.

The writer is the President of Armitage International L.C., an international business consultancy. He previously served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.