INDONESIA & AUSTRALIA

Once in my life, it happened that I wondered around about the relationship of Indonesia and Australia. What I got from the news media so far was some conflicts between the two countries. Then now I understand that the two countries have developed a brand new kind of friendship lately.

Helping each other and more discussions for more understanding between the two countries has brought a better relationship. The support form Australia to the natural disasters happened in Indonesia is an open door for the warmness of Australia for its neighbor named Indonesia. And I guess the warm smile of the local people in Bali to the Australian surfers is also the sign to welcome the Australians to the land of Indonesia.

I hope that the friendship between Indonesia and Australia will continue and grow better than today. Just like what the proverbs says: “Your neighbor is your closest family.”

GOOGLE vs. MICROSOFT

On the game of Google vs. Microsoft, I must say that the winner is still Google. I am a consumer here, and from the consumer’s perspective, Google is much easier product to apply with.

Whenever I want to search something, I will use Google to do the job. So far, Google has been the best tool for it and nothing can beat it. Google also has complete applications that we can use. Name it. Starting from email, images, video, maps, books, blog, documents, groups, etc. They are free and online, which means we can connect them with the account of our friends and public.

So call me a Google defender, but face it that Microsoft has failed to meet the public expectation for so long for the expensive price of its license. So, even if the Microsoft gives their software for free, I guess people will still choose Google for its simplicity and its high technology that has been tested and proved by its customers.

NEO-LIBERALISM

There has been such a debate lately about the neo-liberalism in Indonesia lately following the presidential election.

One single system might work in a country, but the result will not be as perfect as those countries that combine two or more systems. Two or more systems will complete each other and cover each other’s weaknesses. And I can see that Indonesia has been using the combined system for long and it gives stability to the market in Indonesia.

So are we using neo-liberalism or people’s economy? I guess nobody cares as long as we can enjoy our own economic result & that the people still can get their daily staple food.

IDENTITY CRISIS

Indonesia has this identity crisis. I, as a young generation, feels lost when I search for the uniqueness of my nation and my country. Those people outside only know that Indonesia is a big country, but what’s unique about Indonesia is still confusing.

We should continue what we have started before in our economic sector and explore new sectoral opportunities, but, I must add that the Indonesian Government must maintain them with good education so the outcome will be fully and perfect, without having to fall in the middle of the process.

We have so many natural resources, but they soon will run out and we can never renew them. And yes, the exploration of the natural resources in this country only benefits a few people and leaving some lost and pollutions to the others. So, yes, we have to find something else about Indonesia. With huge population, the Indonesian Government should be able to think about how to enrich its people with enough knowledge and add the value of them with proper education.

From here, I just want to say that it’s all back to the education and good schools that rarely well-present in Indonesia. With good education background, the Indonesian people can be able to find some sectors that haven’t been touch and explored. Creativity sometimes grows from the limitations that we have, but with good knowledge that we have, the creativity may go beyond the commonness. Look at some young people nowadays. They are creative enough to create some working space, like t-shirt makers, small printing factory, design houses, etc. Look at their format. They involve their brain, technology and what they can find around them, and nothing about drilling our natural resources. From what I know, these creative people have good knowledge about what they are doing.

So again, education and knowledge should be the based for our search of new opportunities for Indonesia.

LEADERSHIP

I am proud that Indonesia has been producing some brilliant people that contribute a lot to the country, even to the foreign countries. People like Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Anis Baswedan, and Kuntoro Mangkusubroto have shared their big brainy ideas in their field to the community and the world. Not just sharing, but they also develop some new perspective about what they are doing. These skills can only be done by some people who know that what they share will not only benefit themselves, but also others. That’s what I call a leadership is all about. Not just being a leader of what people should do, but also the excitement to share the knowledge that we have.

Leadership should also begin from our family where parents share their knowledge and experience to their children and teach them how to be a good leader for themselves. If we have 5 kids with leadership skills, that were taught from their families, out of 10 kids, can you imagine how many new brainy breeds that we can produce for our future?

Let’s start this leadership from our own kids, then to our employees and the people around us. If we do this properly, I am sure Indonesia will have more people with advanced skills that will be so much useful for the better of Indonesia and maybe the world.

PERSPECTIVE ON RISKS

Another perception in my mind on how to look at the current crisis.

Some businesses were in a deep trouble back in 2008 and some companies almost decided to reduce their employees to make their companies go on. But then they start to realize that reducing their employees would not solve the whole problems. They started to re-analyze the problems in the companies, and start to accept that the risks were higher that they expected. But based on this acceptance of risks, they can create some creative plans for the future of their businesses. And there they go, they are still in their business until today, and have expanded into some more divisions.

So change your perspective on risks!

GO BICYCLE!

I must agree that we can get instant impact for our nature by biking everyday.

We give no pollution to the earth and arrive at our destinations faster than any cars. By riding the bicycle, we also contribute something healthy for our body. We ride the bicycle and don’t realize that we have spent so many calories and burned the fat in our body.

I once again agree that biking should be a lifestyle choice in this country. Whether going to the office, malls or even touring to another city, biking is a nice choice for everyone.

THE AGENDA OF INDONESIAN FUTURE LEADER

We are wondering around about the agenda of these Indonesian president and vice president candidates. They only talk about future programs if they are elected without measuring if they can make it happen or not. They don’t see what happens on the ground, like high price at the market, jobless among the working age and poor conditions in some areas in Indonesia.

Have they tested their programs so they are applicable enough in reality? Or they only make dreamy programs that will be tested as soon as they are elected? If the second choice is what’s in their mind, then I guess their programs will stay as dreamy projects for their own pleasures.

Why don’t they do research first, see what’s up and down on the ground and then make the programs that make sense and applicable?

INDONESIA & GOOD DIPLOMACY

Indonesia has been hit by many "so-called-attacks", like copyrights, trespassing, etc, from other countries. I can see that some people here try to fight against that with words, mass gathering, etc. But I guess emotion is not policy.

That is where diplomacy is needed, to build bridges between the two conflicting countries, and hope there is a fair solution to both parties. Where conflict and war is no longer an option, there is always a chance for good diplomacy to take care of the problems.

And now, the next question is that can we ensure that Indonesian people truly understand about this theory of good diplomacy?

PRITA & MANOHARA SAGA

The "Prita and Manohara Saga" is totally a big joke to the current political process in Indonesia.

Yes, both girls have won the attention of Indonesian people and the front page of local newspapers. And the source of their powers is sensational issues and public’s support to their unlucky and sad conditions. Thanks to the bloggers who support Prita and the tabloids which chase for Manohara’s melodrama.

At the same time, the incidents really question the seriousness of Indonesian Government whether they protect their own people or not. Regarding the current election these days, the saga should also be a part of the president and vice president candidate’s home works, that there will be another "Prita and Manohara Saga" or even more in the future if they don’t really handle the social problem appropriately.