Speech Verhagen in Erasmus Huis
Gelegenheid:Your Excellency, Ms Sinaga, ladies and gentlemen,
Selamat malam!
I am delighted to be here tonight, in the Erasmus House, in your excellent company! Thank you all for coming. This is my first visit to Indonesia in my capacity as Foreign Minister, and I am again struck by the dynamism of Jakarta.
Since my arrival last night I have spent most of my time in meetings – today I had meetings with Indonesia’s President Yudhoyono and Vice President Kalla, my colleague Mr Wirajuda, and Mr Mattalatta, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. Our talks were fruitful and constructive, with good, open discussions about a wide range of issues, in an excellent atmosphere.
The only downside is that my schedule is very tight, as always – it would be nice to have a few minutes to walk around the city and be part of everyday life. But I’m not complaining! I have been to Indonesia before and I certainly intend to come again. Jakarta seems to have changed a lot since I was last here – outwardly, at least. It’s such a vibrant city, bustling with activity!
I would like to thank Ambassador Van Dam for his introductory words, and Ms Sinaga for showing me around earlier. The varied yet coherent exhibition presented here tonight has definitely made an impression on me. I can tell from the range of work showcased here that you have a dynamic artistic climate in Indonesia – which is very positive. You probably know that Nehru once said ‘the art of a people is the true mirror of their minds.’ From this exhibition, you can tell that the artists have been able to let their minds speak freely… sharing their vision of life and society, inviting us into their world, as we freely interpret their work and the effect it has on us. It is very fitting that this exhibition should be called ‘The Spirit of Interaction.’ By looking at these works of art, by weighing them up and judging them in our minds, we are indeed interacting with the mindset of the artists who made them. Indeed, in doing so, we are actually giving meaning to their work.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Artistic freedom of expression is an indication of a wider freedom within a society. That freedom should be nurtured in order for society and its people to flourish. Since the start of the reformasi ten years ago, Indonesia’s democratisation has made impressive progress. That is no small feat in a country with nearly a quarter of a billion inhabitants living on over 17,000 islands. Democratisation is a process, not a fixed state. It can progress or regress; it is never finished – it can always be improved. The fact that Indonesia has opted to move democratisation forward was clearly reaffirmed in Bali last month at the Democracy Forum. A fitting testimony to Indonesia’s commitment to promote democracy in the region. Therefore I have informed my colleague minister Wirajuda that the Netherlands is pleased to support the Bali Democracy Forum with a contribution of two and a half million US Dollars.
Actions always speak louder than words. In the last ten years, Indonesia has had two successful parliamentary elections. The first-ever presidential elections were held in 2004.
Since 2005, more than 465 other elections have been held. And this year will bring new parliamentary and presidential elections. Indonesia has also started the largest-ever decentralisation process in the world. A massive 45% of the annual gross national budget is being spent on provincial and local government.
The press is free, human rights are increasingly receiving attention, and administrative reforms are under way at several key institutions. The inauguration of the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2003 was another milestone.
Challenges still remain. After all, improving governance means work-in-progress. Indonesia and the Netherlands are close partners when it comes to promoting good governance. We are working together to strengthen the capacity of key institutions, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry for Trade, the Supreme Court and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
I am pleased to tell you that we recently launched two new programmes in the field of legal cooperation: one focusing on the supply side by supporting the Supreme Court, Attorney-General and Anti-Corruption Commission, and another one focusing on improving access to justice for people in Indonesia.
The Netherlands is also supporting efforts to strengthen regional parliamentary debate through five sekolah demokrasi. These programmes are all part of creating and nurturing a culture of democracy and instilling democratic values.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tomorrow I am travelling to Yogyakarta with Mr Wirajuda, to pay a courtesy call on Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and to visiting the areas affected by the earthquake in 2006. I look forward to visiting some schools in the Yogya area as well.
I will end my speech here, to give us a chance to talk more informally. But before that, I would like to officially open this beautiful exhibition at the Erasmus House: ‘The Spirit of Interaction.’
Ladies and gentlemen, Terima Kasih!