THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 10, 2010
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN JAKARTA
University of Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
9:30 A.M. WIT
THE PRESIDENT: Terima
kasih. Terima kasih, thank you so much, thank you, everybody. Selamat
pagi. (Applause.) It is wonderful to be here at the University
of Indonesia. To the faculty and the staff and the students, and to Dr.
Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri, thank you so much for your hospitality.
(Applause.)
Assalamualaikum
dan salam sejahtera. Thank you for this wonderful welcome. Thank you to
the people of Jakarta and thank you to the people of Indonesia.
Pulang
kampung nih.
(Applause.) I am so glad that I made it back to Indonesia and that
Michelle was able to join me. We had a couple of false starts this year,
but I was determined to visit a country that’s meant so much to me. And
unfortunately, this visit is too short, but I look forward to coming back a
year from now when Indonesia hosts the East Asia Summit.
(Applause.)
Before I go any further,
I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those Indonesians
who are affected by the recent tsunami and the volcanic eruptions --
particularly those who’ve lost loved ones, and those who’ve been
displaced. And I want you all to know that as always, the United States
stands with Indonesia in responding to natural disasters, and we are pleased to
be able to help as needed. As neighbors help neighbors and families take
in the displaced, I know that the strength and the resilience of the Indonesian
people will pull you through once more.
Let me begin with a
simple statement: Indonesia bagian dari didi saya.
(Applause.) I first came to this country when my mother married an
Indonesian named Lolo Soetoro. And as a young boy I was -- as a young boy
I was coming to a different world. But the people of Indonesia quickly
made me feel at home.
Jakarta -- now, Jakarta
looked very different in those days. The city was filled with buildings
that were no more than a few stories tall. This was back in 1967, ’68 --
most of you weren’t born yet. (Laughter.) The Hotel Indonesia was
one of the few high rises, and there was just one big department store called Sarinah.
That was it. (Applause.) Betchaks and bemos, that’s
how you got around. They outnumbered automobiles in those days. And
you didn’t have all the big highways that you have today. Most of them
gave way to unpaved roads and the kampongs.
So we moved to Menteng
Dalam, where -- (applause) -- hey, some folks from Menteng Dalam
right here. (Applause.) And we lived in a small house. We had
a mango tree out front. And I learned to love Indonesia while flying
kites and running along the paddy fields and catching dragonflies, buying satay
and baso from the street vendors. (Applause.) I still
remember the call of the vendors. Satay! (Laughter.) I
remember that. Baso! (Laughter.) But most of all, I
remember the people -- the old men and women who welcomed us with smiles; the
children who made a foreign child feel like a neighbor and a friend; and the
teachers who helped me learn about this country.
Because Indonesia is
made up of thousands of islands, and hundreds of languages, and people from
scores of regions and ethnic groups, my time here helped me appreciate the
common humanity of all people. And while my stepfather, like most
Indonesians, was raised a Muslim, he firmly believed that all religions were
worthy of respect. And in this way -- (applause) -- in this way he
reflected the spirit of religious tolerance that is enshrined in Indonesia’s
Constitution, and that remains one of this country’s defining and inspiring
characteristics. (Applause.)
Now, I stayed here for
four years -- a time that helped shape my childhood; a time that saw the birth
of my wonderful sister, Maya; a time that made such an impression on my mother
that she kept returning to Indonesia over the next 20 years to live and to work
and to travel -- and to pursue her passion of promoting opportunity in
Indonesia’s villages, especially opportunity for women and for girls. And
I was so honored -- (applause) -- I was so honored when President Yudhoyono
last night at the state dinner presented an award on behalf of my mother, recognizing
the work that she did. And she would have been so proud, because my
mother held Indonesia and its people very close to her heart for her entire
life. (Applause.)
So much has changed in
the four decades since I boarded a plane to move back to Hawaii. If you
asked me -- or any of my schoolmates who knew me back then -- I don’t think any
of us could have anticipated that one day I would come back to Jakarta as the
President of the United States. (Applause.) And few could have
anticipated the remarkable story of Indonesia over these last four decades.
The Jakarta that I once
knew has grown into a teeming city of nearly 10 million, with skyscrapers that
dwarf the Hotel Indonesia, and thriving centers of culture and of
commerce. While my Indonesian friends and I used to run in fields with
water buffalo and goats -- (laughter) -- a new generation of Indonesians is
among the most wired in the world -- connected through cell phones and social
networks. And while Indonesia as a young nation focused inward, a growing
Indonesia now plays a key role in the Asia Pacific and in the global
economy. (Applause.)
Now, this change also
extends to politics. When my stepfather was a boy, he watched his own
father and older brother leave home to fight and die in the struggle for
Indonesian independence. And I’m happy to be here on Heroes Day to honor
the memory of so many Indonesians who have sacrificed on behalf of this great
country. (Applause.)
When I moved to Jakarta,
it was 1967, and it was a time that had followed great suffering and conflict
in parts of this country. And even though my stepfather had served in the
Army, the violence and killing during that time of political upheaval was
largely unknown to me because it was unspoken by my Indonesian family and
friends. In my household, like so many others across Indonesia, the
memories of that time were an invisible presence. Indonesians had their
independence, but oftentimes they were afraid to speak their minds about
issues.
In the years since then,
Indonesia has charted its own course through an extraordinary democratic
transformation -- from the rule of an iron fist to the rule of the
people. In recent years, the world has watched with hope and admiration
as Indonesians embraced the peaceful transfer of power and the direct election
of leaders. And just as your democracy is symbolized by your elected
President and legislature, your democracy is sustained and fortified by its
checks and balances: a dynamic civil society; political parties and
unions; a vibrant media and engaged citizens who have ensured that -- in
Indonesia -- there will be no turning back from democracy.
But even as this land of
my youth has changed in so many ways, those things that I learned to love about
Indonesia -- that spirit of tolerance that is written into your Constitution;
symbolized in mosques and churches and temples standing alongside each other;
that spirit that’s embodied in your people -- that still lives on.
(Applause.) Bhinneka Tunggal Ika -- unity in diversity. (Applause.)
This is the foundation of Indonesia’s example to the world, and this is why
Indonesia will play such an important part in the 21st century.
So today, I return to
Indonesia as a friend, but also as a President who seeks a deep and enduring
partnership between our two countries. (Applause.) Because as vast
and diverse countries; as neighbors on either side of the Pacific; and above
all as democracies -- the United States and Indonesia are bound together by
shared interests and shared values.
Yesterday, President
Yudhoyono and I announced a new Comprehensive Partnership between the United
States and Indonesia. We are increasing ties between our governments in
many different areas, and -- just as importantly -- we are increasing ties
among our people. This is a partnership of equals, grounded in mutual
interests and mutual respect.
So with the rest of my
time today, I’d like to talk about why the story I just told -- the story of
Indonesia since the days when I lived here -- is so important to the United
States and to the world. I will focus on three areas that are closely
related, and fundamental to human progress -- development, democracy and
religious faith.
First, the friendship
between the United States and Indonesia can advance our mutual interest in
development.
When I moved to
Indonesia, it would have been hard to imagine a future in which the prosperity
of families in Chicago and Jakarta would be connected. But our economies
are now global, and Indonesians have experienced both the promise and the
perils of globalization: from the shock of the Asian financial crisis in
the ‘90s, to the millions lifted out of poverty because of increased trade and
commerce. What that means -- and what we learned in the recent economic
crisis -- is that we have a stake in each other’s success.
America has a stake in
Indonesia growing and developing, with prosperity that is broadly shared among
the Indonesian people -- because a rising middle class here in Indonesia means
new markets for our goods, just as America is a market for goods coming from
Indonesia. So we are investing more in Indonesia, and our exports have
grown by nearly 50 percent, and we are opening doors for Americans and
Indonesians to do business with one another.
America has a stake in
an Indonesia that plays its rightful role in shaping the global economy.
Gone are the days when seven or eight countries would come together to
determine the direction of global markets. That’s why the G20 is now the
center of international economic cooperation, so that emerging economies like
Indonesia have a greater voice and also bear greater responsibility for guiding
the global economy. And through its leadership of the G20’s
anti-corruption group, Indonesia should lead on the world stage and by example
in embracing transparency and accountability. (Applause.)
America has a stake in
an Indonesia that pursues sustainable development, because the way we grow will
determine the quality of our lives and the health of our planet. And
that’s why we’re developing clean energy technologies that can power industry
and preserve Indonesia’s precious natural resources -- and America welcomes
your country’s strong leadership in the global effort to combat climate
change.
Above all, America has a
stake in the success of the Indonesian people. Underneath the headlines
of the day, we must build bridges between our people, because our future
security and prosperity is shared. And that is exactly what we’re doing
-- by increasing collaboration among our scientists and researchers, and by
working together to foster entrepreneurship. And I’m especially pleased
that we have committed to double the number of American and Indonesian students
studying in our respective countries. (Applause.) We want more
Indonesian students in American schools, and we want more American students to
come study in this country. (Applause.) We want to forge new ties
and greater understanding between young people in this young century.
These are the issues
that really matter in our daily lives. Development, after all, is not
simply about growth rates and numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about
whether a child can learn the skills they need to make it in a changing
world. It’s about whether a good idea is allowed to grow into a business,
and not suffocated by corruption. It’s about whether those forces that
have transformed the Jakarta I once knew -- technology and trade and the flow
of people and goods -- can translate into a better life for all Indonesians,
for all human beings, a life marked by dignity and opportunity.
Now, this kind of
development is inseparable from the role of democracy.
Today, we sometimes hear
that democracy stands in the way of economic progress. This is not a new
argument. Particularly in times of change and economic uncertainty, some
will say that it is easier to take a shortcut to development by trading away
the right of human beings for the power of the state. But that’s not what
I saw on my trip to India, and that is not what I see here in Indonesia.
Your achievements demonstrate that democracy and development reinforce one
another.
Like any democracy, you
have known setbacks along the way. America is no different. Our own
Constitution spoke of the effort to forge a “more perfect union,” and that is a
journey that we’ve traveled ever since. We’ve endured civil war and we
struggled to extend equal rights to all of our citizens. But it is
precisely this effort that has allowed us to become stronger and more
prosperous, while also becoming a more just and a more free society.
Like other countries
that emerged from colonial rule in the last century, Indonesia struggled and
sacrificed for the right to determine your destiny. That is what Heroes
Day is all about -- an Indonesia that belongs to Indonesians. But you
also ultimately decided that freedom cannot mean replacing the strong hand of a
colonizer with a strongman of your own.
Of course, democracy is
messy. Not everyone likes the results of every election. You go
through your ups and downs. But the journey is worthwhile, and it goes
beyond casting a ballot. It takes strong institutions to check the power
-- the concentration of power. It takes open markets to allow individuals
to thrive. It takes a free press and an independent justice system to
root out abuses and excess, and to insist on accountability. It takes
open society and active citizens to reject inequality and injustice.
These are the forces
that will propel Indonesia forward. And it will require a refusal to
tolerate the corruption that stands in the way of opportunity; a commitment to
transparency that gives every Indonesian a stake in their government; and a
belief that the freedom of Indonesians -- that Indonesians have fought for is
what holds this great nation together.
That is the message of
the Indonesians who have advanced this democratic story -- from those who
fought in the Battle of Surabaya 55 years ago today; to the students who
marched peacefully for democracy in the 1990s; to leaders who have embraced the
peaceful transition of power in this young century. Because ultimately,
it will be the rights of citizens that will stitch together this remarkable Nusantara
that stretches from Sabang to Merauke, an insistence -- (applause) -- an
insistence that every child born in this country should be treated equally,
whether they come from Java or Aceh; from Bali or Papua.
(Applause.) That all Indonesians have equal rights.
That effort extends to
the example that Indonesia is now setting abroad. Indonesia took the
initiative to establish the Bali Democracy Forum, an open forum for countries
to share their experiences and best practices in fostering democracy.
Indonesia has also been at the forefront of pushing for more attention to human
rights within ASEAN. The nations of Southeast Asia must have the right to
determine their own destiny, and the United States will strongly support that
right. But the people of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine
their own destiny as well. And that’s why we condemned elections in Burma
recently that were neither free nor fair. That is why we are supporting
your vibrant civil society in working with counterparts across this
region. Because there’s no reason why respect for human rights should
stop at the border of any country.
Hand in hand, that is
what development and democracy are about -- the notion that certain values are
universal. Prosperity without freedom is just another form of
poverty. Because there are aspirations that human beings share -- the
liberty of knowing that your leader is accountable to you, and that you won’t
be locked up for disagreeing with them; the opportunity to get an education and
to be able to work with dignity; the freedom to practice your faith without
fear or restriction. Those are universal values that must be observed
everywhere.
Now, religion is the
final topic that I want to address today, and -- like democracy and development
-- it is fundamental to the Indonesian story.
Like the other Asian
nations that I’m visiting on this trip, Indonesia is steeped in spirituality --
a place where people worship God in many different ways. Along with this
rich diversity, it is also home to the world’s largest Muslim population -- a
truth I came to know as a boy when I heard the call to prayer across
Jakarta.
Just as individuals are
not defined solely by their faith, Indonesia is defined by more than its Muslim
population. But we also know that relations between the United States and
Muslim communities have frayed over many years. As President, I have made
it a priority to begin to repair these relations. (Applause.) As
part of that effort, I went to Cairo last June, and I called for a new
beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world -- one that
creates a path for us to move beyond our differences.
I said then, and I will
repeat now, that no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust. But I
believed then, and I believe today, that we do have a choice. We can
choose to be defined by our differences, and give in to a future of suspicion
and mistrust. Or we can choose to do the hard work of forging common
ground, and commit ourselves to the steady pursuit of progress. And I can
promise you -- no matter what setbacks may come, the United States is committed
to human progress. That is who we are. That is what we’ve
done. And that is what we will do. (Applause.)
Now, we know well the
issues that have caused tensions for many years -- and these are issues that I
addressed in Cairo. In the 17 months that have passed since that speech,
we have made some progress, but we have much more work to do.
Innocent civilians in
America, in Indonesia and across the world are still targeted by violent
extremism. I made clear that America is not, and never will be, at war
with Islam. Instead, all of us must work together to defeat al Qaeda and
its affiliates, who have no claim to be leaders of any religion –-- certainly
not a great, world religion like Islam. But those who want to build must
not cede ground to terrorists who seek to destroy. And this is not a task
for America alone. Indeed, here in Indonesia, you’ve made progress in
rooting out extremists and combating such violence.
In Afghanistan, we
continue to work with a coalition of nations to build the capacity of the
Afghan government to secure its future. Our shared interest is in
building peace in a war-torn land -- a peace that provides no safe haven for
violent extremists, and that provide hope for the Afghan people.
Meanwhile, we’ve made
progress on one of our core commitments -- our effort to end the war in
Iraq. Nearly 100,000 American troops have now left Iraq under my
presidency. (Applause.) Iraqis have taken full responsibility for
their security. And we will continue to support Iraq as it forms an
inclusive government, and we will bring all of our troops home.
In the Middle East, we
have faced false starts and setbacks, but we’ve been persistent in our pursuit
of peace. Israelis and Palestinians restarted direct talks, but enormous
obstacles remain. There should be no illusion that peace and security
will come easy. But let there be no doubt: America will spare no
effort in working for the outcome that is just, and that is in the interests of
all the parties involved -- two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by
side in peace and security. That is our goal. (Applause.)
The stakes are high in
resolving all of these issues. For our world has grown smaller, and while
those forces that connect us have unleashed opportunity and great wealth, they
also empower those who seek to derail progress. One bomb in a marketplace
can obliterate the bustle of daily commerce. One whispered rumor can
obscure the truth and set off violence between communities that once lived
together in peace. In an age of rapid change and colliding cultures, what
we share as human beings can sometimes be lost.
But I believe that the
history of both America and Indonesia should give us hope. It is a story
written into our national mottos. In the United States, our motto is E
pluribus unum -- out of many, one. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika --
unity in diversity. (Applause.) We are two nations, which have
traveled different paths. Yet our nations show that hundreds of millions
who hold different beliefs can be united in freedom under one flag. And
we are now building on that shared humanity -- through young people who will
study in each other’s schools; through the entrepreneurs forging ties that can
lead to greater prosperity; and through our embrace of fundamental democratic
values and human aspirations.
Before I came here, I
visited Istiqlal mosque -- a place of worship that was still under
construction when I lived in Jakarta. And I admired its soaring minaret
and its imposing dome and welcoming space. But its name and history also speak
to what makes Indonesia great. Istiqlal means independence, and
its construction was in part a testament to the nation’s struggle for
freedom. Moreover, this house of worship for many thousands of Muslims
was designed by a Christian architect. (Applause.)
Such is Indonesia’s
spirit. Such is the message of Indonesia’s inclusive philosophy, Pancasila.
(Applause.) Across an archipelago that contains some of God’s most
beautiful creations, islands rising above an ocean named for peace, people
choose to worship God as they please. Islam flourishes, but so do other
faiths. Development is strengthened by an emerging democracy.
Ancient traditions endure, even as a rising power is on the move.
That is not to say that
Indonesia is without imperfections. No country is. But here we can
find the ability to bridge divides of race and region and religion -- by the
ability to see yourself in other people. As a child of a different race
who came here from a distant country, I found this spirit in the greeting that
I received upon moving here: Selamat Datang. As a Christian
visiting a mosque on this visit, I found it in the words of a leader who was
asked about my visit and said, “Muslims are also allowed in churches. We
are all God’s followers.”
That spark of the divine
lives within each of us. We cannot give in to doubt or cynicism or
despair. The stories of Indonesia and America should make us optimistic,
because it tells us that history is on the side of human progress; that unity
is more powerful than division; and that the people of this world can live
together in peace. May our two nations, working together, with faith and
determination, share these truths with all mankind.
Sebagai
penutup, saya mengucapkan kepada seluruh rakyat Indonesia: terima kasih
atas. Terima kasih. Assalamualaikum. Thank you.
END
10:31 A.M. WIT
(Distributed by the
Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web
site: http://www.america.gov)
