Compulsory Military Service

The stump, like most expat bloggers who make any statement, or advance an opinion that shows Indonesian Society as anything else than a Utopia of tolerance and diversity get our share of hate mail. Invariably the xenophobes advise us to "go home" if we don’t like it, whilst drawing upon the usual xenophobic rants about “bule” social habits and choice of partners etc etc (I never said they were intelligent envy rants).

Personally, I think despite the lunacy, its kind of fun working here for awhile and besides the money is good (and it would want to be!). Additionally, I have family ties in this country, so I have had no real thoughts of leaving.

Having said that, it came as a bit of shock discover the Indonesian Government (I use the term loosely) is sponsoring a bill to force us to leave the country within six years.

A compulsory military service bill if passed, means that any Indonesian over the age of 18 may be subject to five years Military Service (although to be fair, that would only be those without the right connections). As this would directly affect a member of our family within six years, perhaps the writing is on the wall.

Now, having some experience of Military Service in a previous life, I am not against a couple of years of compulsory service for anyone in society. I believe it teaches character, discipline and respect for others. Of course that is only true in a professional, accountable, ethical organisation and these are not terms that even have a nodding acquaintance with Indonesia's unreformed uniformed thugs.
Fair Dinkum, I would rather he play soccer and become a greenie than enter the culture of intimidation, corruption and bullies that thrives in Indonesia's Thug brigades.

Still then again, at the rate the legislature works, they will probably still be debating the bill in six years. Of course, the so called people's servants may have really reformed by then too, we will know who was behind the Jakarta Riots, The sponsors of the Miltitia’s in East Timor and the murderers of the Balibo Five and any number of other innocent Indonesians at the hands of their “protectors”.

GO TO HELL AUSTRALIA

It didn't take long..Sigh..The "Rent a Thug" crowd are protesting along with the usual threats of mayhem outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. In a fine display of a civilisation at its zenith "hundreds of protesters mainly from youth groups, rallied outside the embassy in Jakarta. The protesters chanted: "Get out, get out, Australia"; "Burn it down, burn it down"; and "Go to hell, Australia."
Like a lot of Australians, sometimes I think its not a bad idea (the get out bit anyway, hardly seems any point some days)..

The thugs are predictable and dangerous (and very buffed for someone just off the streets), I wonder if there is any statesmen around to notice the link between reactions like the above and the headline on the same page, RI on the outs with tourists

Ben over at Indonesia Anon
(see comments) took me to task somewhat and said the action was counter-productive and in essence not real smart.

Not sure what Indonesia A really expected Australia to do..Unlike a lot of places, in Oz raising a summons against anyone is a fairly simple process and government intervention would be political suicide. Secondly, A Summons is NOT an arrest warrant but a direction to attend formal proceedings (although failure to obey a summons can lead to an arrest warrant in certain circumstances).

A statesman of any standing would have understood the domestic political and legal situation in the country he/she was visiting and acted accordingly.
i.e.
1. Pass the summons to his lawyers and get on with what he was trying to achieve or;

2. If the case is as dead, buried and complete (black pun intended..do Google search Balibo Five "completed") as Indonesia insists then comply with the summons and answer the questions in the spirit of inter-country relations o

3. The last option (which does not apply to statesmen) is rush off home in a hissy fit, watch the "rent a thugs" protest your "impolite" treatment despite the dangers they pose to life and limb.

Of course, Option three merely confirms the contempt for due process and well being of others and..........

Meanwhile Sooty, the person at the centre of the current storm and Jakarta Mayor is still fuming. Sooty prefers the title Governor, but the reality is he's a Mayor in charge of the three Rs rates, roads and rubbish. None which are great points of achievement after a gazillion years in office).

Sooty has now stated that unless Australia apologised he would cease cooperation with Australia (big call for a council Mayor). Now that's counter-productive, what Sooty fails to realise is the moment he said that, a number of Australian Tax Payer's breathed a sigh of relief.

The vast majority of Australian's view Indonesia with a high degree of suspicion as do Indonesians Australia. It should be the aim of statesmen to understand the two cultures and build the relationships, not endanger all with childish hissy fits. But such creatures are few and far between.

Now a conspiracy theorist would wonder, how the hell did John Howard get Sooty to go along with his plan, to ramp up "the evil Indonesians are just waiting to get us" election ploy. John Howard has made a career out of raising the unease and security factor just prior to elections (In full knowledge the ALP, is renown as a bunch of security wimps). I would not be surprised if little John doesn't flash Sooty a get well card.

Anyway Sooty, thanks from the stump for drawing attention to the unresolved issues of 35 years ago..funny how bad rots ya bones and the smell never goes away..

Oh the report widespread in Indonesia that the summons was delivered by police using a duplicate key to get into his room..is plainly nonsense. Summons serving is such a routine procedure even the newest rookie understands the procedure. Mind you it would have been far more interesting to serve it during an official function, much more dramatic and newsworthy.

As for the picture.....There are brave men and then there is the Mob! One of the deceased (completed?)Balibo Five..