The Foreign Service Journal, October 2004

Erry Hardjapamekas, currently a deputy chief of the Anti-Corruption Commission, echoes this opposition to “double-standard policies.” America is redefining global- ization, says Hardjapamekas, and Indonesians can see through the rhetoric. “It has to be clear that a level play- ing field between nations does not exist,” he says. This self-serving approach may worsen under Kerry, says economist Juoro. Indeed, Kerry’s campaign in swing states such as economically-troubled Ohio and Pennsylvania is closely watched by Indonesia’s business community, partic- ularly his promises to return jobs lost to Asia. Again, two countries, shared challenges. If Pennsylvanians are lamenting the loss of jobs, so are Indonesians, who have struggled in recent years against the departure of manufacturers to cheaper labor markets such as China and Vietnam. Says Juoro, a former economic advisor to former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie: “When Kerry pro- poses against outsourcing, that is protectionism — at the cost of exports for developing countries like ours.” In short, Indonesians seem to be saying: Kerry is preferable to Bush, but his policies need some rethinking. Indeed, ambivalence is yet another shared experience of these two giants of democracy. Just as Democrats sup- port Kerry but do not seem particularly motivated by him, Indonesians, too, are not entirely sure whether to support the Massachussetts senator. “Is the support for Kerry gen- uine, or is it about supporting anyone who has a reasonable chance of beating Bush?” asks Adinda Simanjuntak, 27, manager of a Jakarta bookstore. But never mind, says Simanjuntak. After all, Indonesia just faced a similar dynamic. It was not really his own appeal that catapulted the newly-elected president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, from relative obscurity to the status of a national icon and, ultimately, electoral victory. He was the beneficiary of widespread discontent toward President Megawati Sukarnoputri, regarded by many Indonesians as an ineffective leader. Two countries, same war cry: Anyone But Bush; Anyone But Mega. F O C U S O C T O B E R 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 33