Unofficial Translation

Opening Speech by
H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of the Republic of Indonesia

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,
May peace be with us all,
Om swastyastu

Your Excellency, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam;
Your Excellency, Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan;
Your Excellency, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Timor - Leste.
Distinguished guests,

First, please allow me, on Government and the people of welcome Your Excellencies and behalf of the Indonesia, to distinguished guests to the beautiful and peaceful island of Bali, to attend the second Bali Democracy Forum.

A year ago, on this island of Bali, we launched the first Bali Democracy Forum, a forum to discuss democracy from various aspects and diff erent perspectives. In that historic meeting, without looking at each country’s historical backgrounds, we committed ourselves to building and increasing our political capacities so that we can serve the interests of our people.

Today, I am delighted that our spirit and optimism are still very much alive at this second meeting. This is evident from the increase of participating countries and observer to the Bali Democracy Forum. This bodes well for the future of democracy and its development in Asia.

This Forum is not created for a debate over which system of democracy is the best, nor is it to find a formal definition of democracy. We know that there is no perfect democracy. Democracy, in any form, anywhere, is a never-ending process that will never cease to develop dynamically.

The main purpose of the Bali Democracy Forum is to foster dialogue as well as international and regional cooperation in the field of democracy.

We established this forum to learn from each other’s experiences in carrying out democracy. And Asia is truly rich with all of these experiences.

And that is why, I would like to honor the Institute for Peace and Democracy, which, ever since its inception last year, has conducted a series of activities, in the form of seminars, workshops, dialogues with experts and research work. Let us give them a big hand of appreciation!!.

For Indonesia, this year is a special year in democracy. We had 2 major political events; the parliamentary elections last April and the presidential elections in July.

In both momentous events, the Indonesian people showed tremendous enthusiasm to determine the future of their nation. There were approximately 128 million voters who participated in the elections - around 84 % of the registered voters. This is proof that after carrying out 3 elections, the people’s trust in the democratic system continues to grow. In a survey conducted by the Indonesian Survey Institution, 90 % of the people believe that the country is heading towards the right direction. It is evident that democracy has consciously been accepted by the Indonesian people and it has become an important part of our lives.

The democracy and reformasi era has endured for 11 years. It is by no means an easy process. We have undergone many obstacles and have seen our fair share of ups and downs. But we are grateful, because in that tumultuous process, the nation’s leaders had good intentions, were willing to cooperate, to seek consensus and compromise, and obtained the courage to undertake difficult decisions while always keeping in mind to encourage the people to participate positively. After undergoing difficult times, Indonesia’s democracy reached a new equilibrium, one that is relatively stable and dynamic.

We, the Indonesian people learned a lot during the period of transition, reform and democratization which was filled with many ups and downs. However we are grateful because democratic life in Indonesia continued to develop with successful economic growth, political stability, good governance and rule of law.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

The theme of this year’s Bali Democracy Forum is democracy and development. I would like to state that even though democracy and development are two different concepts, they are intertwined. Development without democracy would go limp. Democracy without development would be meaningless. Thus, democracy and development are 2 processes that can strengthen each other.

I believe that all of you will deliberate on the relationship and the synergy that can be created between democracy and development. However, I am also certain that each of you will have your own point of view and experience which will differ with one another, as a response to the uniqueness of your own country’s situation and condition.

Let me nevertheless offer a few thoughts on democracy and development that you maywish to include as an element in your deliberations.

First, democracy and development demands accountability of leaders and public officials. Every leader who received mandate from the people must work their hardest to give the best to the people, through the means of democracy and development. This is an essential part of good governance.

Second, whatever the political system, development and democracy must provide room for the people to participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Every society, wherever they are, always have hopes, aspirations and choices. Hence, it is the duty of the leaders, whether they are in Government of Parliament, to find the best ways to engage them, to take into account their hopes and aspirations and to make the effort to fulfill them.

Third, we must also work to achieve balance between economic growth and political development. One must never get too far ahead of the other because it will result in dissatisfaction and instability. In the past, Indonesia experienced a situation similar to this. It is by means of that balance that we were able to achieve synergy. Through democracy, development is made inclusive and equitable. Through development, democracy is made stable and durable. We must remember that both development and democracy must deliver actual benefits for the people. Benefits those are widespread, fair and equal.

On the other hand: democracy and development is a process of empowerment. Empowerment for every layer of society. Especially for those who are vulnerable, impoverished, marginalized and backwards.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I see a silver lining to the dark clouds of the current global financial crisis-because that crisis compelled the international community to make a breakthrough in restructuring the economy to be more democratic. One of its manifestations is the increasing demand for the notion of “inclusive growth” a notion that sprang from the deliberations of the G-20, which became an advocacy of the Asian Development Bank. “Inclusive growth”, which focuses on growth with equity, and focuses attention on the most vulnerable people in society. This concept has been formally adopted on the agenda of the APEC forum and reflected in the thrust of ASEAN cooperation.

In Indonesia, since five years ago, I have determined a strategy for economic development based on “growth with equity”. In its implementation, this strategy has three elements and they are economic development that is pro-growth, pro-job creation and pro-poor. I believe that this triple-track strategy is suitable for a developing country that still faces the challenges of poverty and unemployment.

In the end, ladies and Gentlemen, the essence of democracy and development is to elevate the dignity of humankind. Whether as a servant of God or as a social being.

After all, man was created by the Creator who made him equal in worth to all other human beings.

As such he has a value that no market can price. He has rights that no government can remove. He also has responsibilities that no power can absolve.

Of course, when discussing democracy and development, the relationship between economics and politics, will cover a very wide area of topics.

And, as I have mentioned earlier, every nation also have different historical backgrounds and processes of development. Many are also of the view that democracy is not the end goal. The end goal of democracy and development is the ultimate welfare of the people which would then create a true sense of justice.

I sincerely hope that at this Bali Democracy Forum, all of you can share your views and experiences in practicing democracy, carrying out development policies and creating welfare for the people.

Finally, by asking for the blessings of God the Almighty, and by saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare the 2nd  Bali Democracy Forum open.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh