Conflicting views the norm

The apparent belligerence of Indonesia’s media in the recent spat over the alleged ‘encroachment’ in the Malacca Straits, has more to do with the culture of open and robust debate than actual hostility.

INDONESIAN TV news is not for the faint-hearted. Having spent a few hours last week in various studios, I can assure you that moments of extreme panic are interspersed by a sense of ridiculousness.

Last week, for example, as I struggled to explain on Metro TV “transgressions of sovereignty” in Bahasa Indonesia, the very nice gentlemen next to me sounded an impassioned call for war with Malaysia.

Needless to say, as someone who has argued for stronger Malaysia-Indonesia ties, the latest diplomatic spat has been dismaying.

It began when three Indonesian fisheries officers were detained by Malaysian police in August.

Initially, I had expected the matter to be settled amicably.

However, the timing was very unfortunate, coming just days before Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations on Aug 17. Understandably perhaps, the republic’s media went into overdrive and the issue quickly gained momentum.
Public anger: Indonesians protesting in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta on Aug 26. — AFP

In the ensuing controversy, some Indonesians became increasingly incensed at what was seen as a series of deliberate slights.

The first was the perceived “barter” transaction, that the Indonesian officers had been released in exchange for seven Malaysian fishermen who were detained earlier. Subsequently, it was further alleged that the detained Indonesian officials had been ill-treated.

In the following weeks, some Malaysian politicians unfortunately chose to adopt an aggressive tone (calling for the issuance of a travel advisory) just as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono seemed to step back from taking stern action.

Conversely, Malaysians were upset by the extremely provocative demonstrations outside our embassy in Jakarta, not to mention the apparent belligerence of Indonesia’s media.

Amid this highly volatile environment, I was invited to appear on a number of Indonesian TV talk shows.

In the past, I’ve tended to avoid getting involved in bilateral relations. I am not paid to intervene. I am neither a diplomat nor a politician. However, this time around, because of the total absence of Malaysian views in Jakarta, I felt I had to step into the debate and present a human face to who and what we are.

At the same time, friends in Jakarta-based media were desperately looking for a Malaysian (any Malaysian) who could provide an alternative perspective.

I have to confess that the experience was as challenging as it was enjoyable. It also revealed to me – yet again – the vastly different nature of political debate in our two countries. Moreover, this represents a fundamental challenge for our two countries as we move ahead.

Let me explain: in Indonesia there is public debate. It is open and it is robust. People are unafraid of criticising the president directly. In Malaysia, the mainstream media, in serving our leaders, often fail to protect and/or educate the public.

However, the Indonesian media is very diverse and multi-faceted. Indeed, there are marked differences between how Jakarta-based journalists think and react and those in the provinces.

Whatever the case, it is also an intensely competitive, individualistic environment. In short: You generalise at your peril.

For example: Metro TV’s Najwa Shihab was delightful and extremely gracious; Global TV’s Rosi Silalahi was razor-sharp and uncompromising. Meanwhile TVone’s Tina Talisa was indefatigable, button-holing Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan as he happened to walk by during our interview set-up.

So what did I learn? Well, for starters, TV, especially live TV, is about human emotions. Yes, you must be clear in what you say, but the way you say it and the reactions from your fellow guests as well as the all-important interviewer are critical.

Second, you have to remain calm, however provocative or heated the discussion might get. Equanimity is critical.

Third, when you are in someone else’s country you have to pick your words very carefully; all the more so since you’ve still got to return to Kuala Lumpur at some stage where there’s less tolerance for critical views in the media.

Which brings me to the last point, namely, that the vastly different political cultures of our two countries will make a swift resolution of outstanding bilateral issues difficult if not impossible.

In Indonesia, the media mirrors the nation’s complexity. Conflicting views are the norm. TV anchors delight in baiting ministers and the powerful. Indeed, President Susilo has been very much under attack for his perceived softness in the face of Malaysian “arrogance”.

By way of comparison, in Malaysia, control and regimentation mean we often forgo our diversity in the quest for discipline.

Finally, it’s clear that while there is general unhappiness in Jakarta with Malaysia, the hostility of groups like Bendera, is more than matched by the general good sense of the Indonesian public.

Indeed, there were many sober voices in the various studios ranging from the straight-talking, former diplomat Hashim Djalal (father of presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal) and the Jakarta Post’s supremely eloquent editor, Mediyatama Suryodiningrat (better known as Pak Dymas).

Let’s hope that cooler heads will continue to prevail.