Indonesia at 79: Model of unity and progress

Mushfiq Ahmed

KARACHI, Pakistan (MNTV) – As Indonesia marked its 79th Independence Day on Sunday, diplomats and observers said the country offers a rare example of stability. It is the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

They said it has embraced democracy, preserved diversity, and pushed for economic growth. And it has done so without succumbing to the political and sectarian strife that troubles much of its neighborhood, they added.

Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), said that Indonesia has faced — and overcome — formidable challenges.

“It had military rule, rampant terrorism, and separatist movements. Today, it is free of these internal threats and is moving forward,” he said.

“Civilian leaders built democratic institutions and kept the military out of politics. It wasn’t smooth at first, but over time, civilian control was firmly established.”

He said the civilian leadership has been able to keep the military away from politics by strong leadership and assertion of democratic principles, particularly the building of civilian and democratic institutions.

“Initially it was not smooth going but in due course the process of civilian control was established.” 

Former Pakistani envoy to Jakarta Attiya Mahmood said women’s empowerment is a hallmark of modern Indonesia. Women are visible in every sector, from offices to small businesses, and even zipping through traffic on motorcycles.

Literacy rates are higher, and laws protect women’s rights, she said.

Even though Hindus are a very small minority in its population, there are thousands of temples in the country and they follow their religions without any fear.

“There isn’t really much of an issue there about religious freedom because 97% are Muslims, and the others—well, many of them are in far-off islands, where the population is quite primitive, and they may or may not even have a religion.”  

She said Indonesia pursues its economic interests wisely. “China has more influence in business, while American companies are also present. If Indonesia buys from the U.S. in exchange for tariff reductions, it is simply in pursuit of national interest, and there’s no strong anti-American sentiment,” said the former ambassador. 

Ambassador Sanaullah, who served in Jakarta from 2009 to 2013, calls Indonesia “liberal compared with many Muslim countries.” While Aceh province enforces full Shariah law, the rest of the country avoids religious politics, and no party has an official religious affiliation. “Even in the OIC, Indonesia has never sought leadership. Its outlook is moderate and laid-back,” he says.

Economically, Indonesia balances ties with major powers. It buys from the U.S. and welcomes Chinese investment, guided by national interest rather than ideology.

Sanaullah rejects the idea that its deals, such as buying Boeing planes in exchange for tariff cuts, are “over-commitments,” calling them pragmatic.

Both envoys say freedom of expression is alive in Indonesia, even if criticism of the government tends to be measured rather than combative. Media outlets are independent, political parties have their own publications, and arrests over dissent are rare.

For a nation of more than 270 million spread across 17,000 islands, holding together such a patchwork of faiths, ethnicities, and traditions is no small feat. Indonesia’s ability to do so — while keeping its politics civilian-led, its society largely peaceful, and its economy steadily expanding — is why diplomats say it remains a model worth studying.