Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Exclusive Interview: Robin Bush, Part Two

Yesterday we kicked off our exclusive chat with Robin Bush, the Asia Foundation's country representative for Indonesia. Today we continue with her thoughts on Aceh reconstruction, the upcoming 2009 elections, and what everyone needs to know about Indonesia.

EI: What's your take on the status of development in Aceh province, post-tsunami, and what still needs to be done?

RB: The relief and reconstruction effort in Aceh has resulted in dramatic levels of development. The peace accord to date still holds, and Aceh has the potential of being able to return to being a somewhat normal place. That said, donor assistance is, as it should be, on the downswing and most donors if not already withdrawing, are in exit strategy mode. As the financial resources dwindle, and with an election coming up, it will be important to monitor the situation closely to ensure that local conflicts don’t re-emerge around contestation of shrinking resources.

EI: What are shaping up to be the biggest issues in the upcoming '09 elections?

RB: The economy, unemployment and poverty are the largest set of issues. President Yudhoyono has been strategic and astute in his management of the financial crisis so far – but it has not yet hit the real economy, and in coming months when unemployment becomes more widespread, he will be in a very vulnerable position. That said, other issues like anti-corruption and security are also key issues, and on those fronts Yudhoyono is seen to have been an effective leader.

EI: As someone who's lived in Indonesia for a long time, what are a few things Americans should know about the country, that they don't?

RB: They should know that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, is the fourth largest democracy in the world, and the largest Muslim democracy in the world. They should know that most Indonesians actually really like America – they like the culture, the people, they like to go to school there, they like to take holidays there. They should also know that Indonesia is a country of contrasts – of women in headscarves and tight jeans; where 12 Lamborghinis can be pre-purchased before the show room in Jakarta even opens yet where 100 million people live on less than $2/day and children die of malnutrition; where it is not unusual for Muslim villagers to help their Christian neighbors build their church …yet where 100s of ‘thugs’ can be mobilized to burn it down. They should know that Indonesia’s story of reform and democratization is one of the great untold success stories – to transform within 10 years from an authoritarian dictatorship to a vibrant, growing, stable democracy is an incredible feat, and one which Indonesia gets much less credit than it deserves.

Many thanks to Robin Bush for her insights, and best wishes for her ongoing work for a better Indonesia!


Today's Top Stories

Flooding paralyzes Java
Pantura overtaken by floodwaters

Corruption 101
Anti-graft drive comes to the classroom

Pertamina boosting security at refineries
Last month's fire triggered panic buying

Kalla pushes fair trade at The Hague
VP continues swanning around the world

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice work and thanks!
Running
Adidas currently manufactures several running shoesNike shoes, including the adiStar Control 5, the adiStar Ride
Cheap nike shoes
Discount nike shoes
the Supernova Sequence and the Supernova Cushion 7, among others.
Nike shox r4
nike shox shoes
Adidas also uses kangaroo leather to make their more expensive shoes.
Association football
One of the main focuses of Adidas is football kit and associated equipment.
puma cat
cheap sport shoes
Adidas also provides apparel and equipment for all teams in Major League Soccer. Adidas remain a major company in the supply of team kits for international football teams.
cheap nike shox
cheap nike max
Adidas also makes referee kits that are used in international competition and by many countries and leagues in the world. In the United States, referees wear the Adidas kits in MLS matches even though the primary referee supplier is Official Sports.
nike tn dollar
nike running shoes
The company has been an innovator in the area of footwear for the sport with notable examples including development of the Copa Mondial moulded boot on firm dry pitches for forty years.
nike air max tn
puma shoes
Adidas became renowned for advancing the "Predator" boot design.This design featured a ribbed rubber structure for the upper leather of the shoe, used to accent the movement of the ball.
discount puma shoes
puma mens shoes
The Predator also features the Craig Johnston invented "Traxion" sole. As the development and popularity of Football continued Adidas played a leading role in shaping the style of the play itself.
puma running shoes
puma shoes
FIFA, the sports governing body, commissioned specially designed footballs for use in its own World Cup tournaments to favour more attacking play.
ghd hair straighteners mk4
hair straightners
ghd iv styler hair straightener
ghd hair straightners
cheap ghd hair straighteners

Unknown said...

Hank Freid has built his businesses and properties to cater to international tourists and students alike, providing them with inexpensive boutique hotel options.

VICKYFF said...

Nice work and thanks!
Running

Baby is a family of hope, joy and new vitality into the then powerful but also tender moments of human

Scarf Scarf

Emma jacob said...

It’s really a great post..I would like to appreciate your work and I am going to recommend it to my friends. Thanks for sharing.
Organic vitamins

eshaa said...

I enjoyed your entries on Toxic Words - such great thoughts and a wonderful reminder to watch the words I use - to be positive and kind and use words to build up rather than tear down. :)
see Free Classified Ads.

Fara Fae said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fara Fae said...

Your blog is pretty good and impressed me a lot. This article along with the images is quite in-depth and gives a good overview of the topic.

3d ultrasounds

Fara Fae said...

Interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue, so thanks for posting.

herbal vitamins | natural minerals | anti aging vitamins | herbal supplements