Farewell to Indonesia
With some sorrow, I now find myself finishing my final week in Indonesia. It has been an incredible experience, encompassing everything from tigers to Constitutional Court justices, riots in Jakarta to hikes in the jungle. The food, the sights, and most of all the people, have been truly exceptional.
Indonesia is a remarkable country, that is sadly known internationally almost exclusively for the vacation destination of Bali. This drastically misses the inconceivable variety of a nation composed of islands literally without number, inhabited by countless tribes speaking an infinitude of languages. The sheer variety of the Indonesian panoply may in part be what has defeated its recognition by the world, as the kaleidoscopic quality of its heterogeneous nature makes it hard to encompass Indonesia as a single idea.
This has also influenced its politics, of course, similarly extremely complex and constantly shifting, often radically. The central notion of unity in diversity, the Indonesian motto, and pancasila, an assemblage of five principles that are intended to guide Indonesian democracy, weld together an often seemingly unwieldy collection of varied cultures. While this creates an at times uneasy dynamic, when fracture appears inescapable, it also enables a wealth of experience that simply cannot be matched by a more homogenous nation. In many ways Indonesia’s weakness, its disparate nature is also its greatest glory.
It has been a tremendously exciting time to be here, in the midst of the controversy over the elections for the presidency and legislature. Then again, with further disputes arising over the future of governmental structure and even geographic boundaries, as Papuan independence efforts gain ground, it seems a shame to depart now. While at times undoubtedly challenging for citizens, the constant evolution of this relatively new-born state makes it a truly fascinating place for research.
In four months, I have learned all that I can about this remarkable archipelago. It does not, could not, begin to scratch the surface of Indonesia’s plethoric realities. Culturally, I know something of the Minang people of West Sumatra, something of Jakarta, but little beyond this. From the Islamic conservatism of Aceh in the northwest, to the tribal rainbow of Papua in the east, Indonesia remains for me hugely unexplored. I have likewise only shallowly delved into the depths of its history and political structure. I can only hope to return here at some point in the future, to try to learn a little more, dig a little deeper into this endless mine of information and experience.
In parting, I must extend my particular thanks to some of my colleagues here: Justice Saldi Isra, PUSaKO Director Feri Amsari, and my fellow researchers, notably Ikhsan, Yovan, Haykal, and Reza. These people have been staunch assistants, and dedicated friends, always ready to offer a hand whenever I needed one. I cannot thank them enough for having gone so far out of their way to make my time in Indonesia a delight. What I have learned about this country is directly attributable to their helping hands.
In addition, my very profound thanks go to William & Mary, for having made this program available. From setting up these internships to providing funding, the law school and in particular the international internship program has created possibilities for involvement in a truly extraordinary world. While I remain thoroughly ignorant in the vast scale of Indonesia, I have learned an immense amount, and feel terribly privileged to have been given this opportunity.