Indonesia, Japan See Asia Move Closer to Democracy
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed Thursday their optimism that Asia, regarded the world’s most dynamic region, is becoming increasingly democratic.
Hatoyama told representatives of 36 Asian countries attending the second Bali Democracy Forum, co-hosted by Indonesia and Japan, that Asia had charted a unique course in making the transition to democracy, while achieving economic growth and developing civil society.
“China, home to the largest population in Asia and experiencing remarkable economic growth, has undergone economic and social transformation to open itself to Asia and the world,” he said.
“There are great expectations that China will continue to make progress, as a responsible power, on the issues of democracy and human rights, along with other issues.”
Here in Indonesia, he said, both economic development and democratization have been moving forward steadily in tandem.
“Japan praises Indonesia’s democratization process and stands ready to share our experiences and accomplishments in democracy to deepen mutual understanding in Asia.”
Hatoyama said he also saw “positive developments” in Myanmar, with the US taking a new approach by engaging rather than confronting the country’s military junta.
The only issue worth noting is North Korea, the Prime Minister said. “It is regrettable that there remains deep-seated distrust and confrontation in Northeast Asia.”
He called on Pyongyang to follow the democratic trends “under way elsewhere in Asia and throughout the world.”
“I hope that North Korea will eventually become a state open to the international community as the process of establishing a framework for peace in Northeast Asia moves forward.”
China and Myanmar sent delegations to the two-day meeting, which Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on his opening remarks would maintain its inclusiveness.
Yudhoyono said he was encouraged by the growing interest shown by Asian countries in the second Bali meeting as reflected by the rising number of participating countries, from 32 last year to 36 this year.
This year’s BDF, themed Promoting Synergy between Democracy and Development in Asia: Prospects for Regional Cooperation, is the second time for Indonesia to co-host this forum after last year’s inaugeral forum, which was co-hosted by Australia.
Yudhoyono highlighted that democracy and development should be implemented simultaneously toward a nation’s prosperity. “Development will become inclusive and fair for all if democracy is upheld, and democracy will become more stable if sustainable development takes place.”
To be sustainable and truly meaningful, democracy must deliver economic improvement, Marty said.
“Yet, for countries simultaneously engaged in promoting democracy and seeking to ensure the promises of economic development, a synergic attainment of these twin objectives is often not immediately assured,” he added.
As initiator of the present forum, he said, Indonesia has consistently been of the view that the forum must be inclusive.
“We recognize the different stages of countries’ democratic [development], but it should not constitute a barrier to cooperation if imbued with a shared aspiration to universal democratic principles.”
Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao said that although his country was the youngest and also one of the poorest among those attending the forum, he ensured that democracy has truly become a reality there.
“I am speaking not only of our periodic and regular elections or of the operation of our democratic institutions, as these elements alone do not equal true democracy.”
“It is the motivation of our people, emerging private sector and strong civil society, who have contributed to our national development, that illustrate to us that it is possible for our democracy to do better,” he said.
During the opening ceremony, Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also gave his remarks.
Source: The Jakarta Post
