Comments on: Obama’s engagement with Indonesia will reap great dividends

By: Fargoal

Fargoal — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:13:44 +0000

Indonesia elections comng up in the middle of this year. Let’s see whether democracy has managed to consolidate itself in our giant neighbour.

By: Dr Syed Alwi

Dr Syed Alwi — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:01:33 +0000

Dear Gerald,

Good article. It is well thought out. The South East Asian Muslims are much less dogmatic than the Middle Eastern Muslims. I think that America would do well by connecting with the Muslims of South East Asia.

A stable, confident and prosperous Indonesia will benefit Singapore. We can invest in Indonesia without fear. Such symbiotic relations is beneficial for ASEAN.

I think my biggest worry is the Conservative lobby in America itself. Will Conservative Americans appreciate Obama’s efforts ? Thats the million-dollar question…..

Best Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

By: take it with salt

take it with salt — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:00:30 +0000

I have a very suspicious thouhts…question the motives… don’t like the conspiracies.
Iraq is now under us … see the size of their embassy… middle east no more
Indonesia is most populous muslim nation and still friendly … keeping close to prevent threats jahidis
paskistan and iran are two remaining threats with afghanistan on war path … check mate muslims

By: Donaldson Tan

Donaldson Tan — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:02:37 +0000

It is hardly surprising that Indonesia would be Secretary Clinton’s second destination in Asia given:

1. Indonesia is among the world’s biggest functioning democracies.
2. US relations with the other non-Arab Muslim state Turkey is already straining.
3. Obama did mention he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia

But I have my reservation on US trade policies for Southeast Asia You might recall USA’s objection to the Chiang Mai Initiative during the Asian Financial Crisis and in midst of the current Global Financial Crisis, interest in the Chiang Mai Initiative has been revived again.

By: Gerald Giam

Gerald Giam — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:43:14 +0000

Oh they’ve already started going “me too”: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/18591-pm-to-invite-obama-to-malaysia

Remember it was Democrat Al Gore who supported Anwar’s Reformasi movement in the late 90s.

By: keenlen

keenlen — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:02:23 +0000

I think you shld get a job in Obama’s diplomatic corps ;-) Nice reading of this initiative…definitely unconventional compared to the previous administration…I like how it breaks stereotypes abt the muslim world…but I wonder with greater engagement with Indonesia by the US, how would M’sia react to that? Hopefully it doesn’t become a ‘why you and not us’ type of reaction that may have divisive repercussions on ASEAN.