Society for Policy Studies in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre held a Round Table Discussion led by Stanley Weiss, Founding Chairman, Business Executives for National Security on Current Developments in Indonesia and Myanmar
Venue: Director’s Conference Room, Core 5A, India Habitat Centre
Speaker: Stanley A. Weiss
After military service in World War II, Stanley A. Weiss mined and traded manganese ore and mercury metal in Mexico for more than 20 years; he built plants for submerged arc welding in Mexico and Brazil; he was Founder and CEO of American Minerals, later Chairman of American Premier, Inc., mining, refractories, chemicals and mineral processing companies
Mr. Weiss is Founding Chairman of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a nonpartisan organization of senior executives who use their successful business practices to strengthen America’s security.
Mr. Weiss has been widely published on domestic and international issues for three decades, with articles in numerous publications including the International Herald Tribune, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Strategic Review, Asia Times, Jakarta Post, Myanmar Times, NY Daily Sun, Asia Sentinel, South Asia Monitor, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, and The Huffington Post.
A former fellow at Harvard’s Center for International Affairs, Mr. Weiss is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Ditchley Foundation, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Summary
Stanley Weiss, the founding Founding Chairman of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) began his lecture noting that three important democracies in the region are India, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Myanmar
Mr. Weiss noted that the fear that the country is backsliding is unfounded. The country has made strides in last few years and has freer press and institutions. He pointed that the President, Speaker and Aung San Suu kyi are three key political actors in the country. While Suu Kyi is seen as the vanguard of democracy in the west, he noted that the country would only be successful if it adopted a federal system.
Ambassador Seshadri also shared the optimism that Mr. Weiss expressed. While the transformation has been very good, he noted that the freeing of the political prisoners was a move that instilled confidence in the democratic practice.
He pointed out that the way in which the government responded to public concerns was particularly encouraging. While he flagged accountability as a concern, he also pointed out that it was worrying that Myanmar has kept quiet about Chinese intrusions.
India – Myanmar: There continue to be visits between the two countries on a regular basis. Recognition of the well being of the North East and the role that connectivity to Myanmar can play a significant change in bridging relations. On other issues in the bilateral relations he pointed out that Indian Insurgents are taking shelter in Myanmar.
Indonesia
With a history of decades of dictatorship behind it, Indonesia has risen as a powerful country in the region and in ASEAN. Mr. Weiss likened the rise of President Widodo to that of President Obama in the United States. Apart from the popular support of the current administration he noted that there are many promises to be kept. The stress of health and education is another parallel that is similar to the Obama administration.
India – Indonesia: Professor Shankari noted that the volume of trade between Indonesia and India was miniscule when compared to Indonesia and China, although this is changing. She referred to the defence cooperation between the two countries as ‘meat-less’. On the foreign Policy front, she pointed out that Indonesia’ foreign policy much like India’s foreign policy was honed in the non aligned movement. It continues to be active and free from external interferences.
On the interface between Religion and Politics in Indonesia
Shawn pointed out that the Javanese culture has a powerful influence in the way Islam in practiced in the region. It is also true that Indonesia does not have strong relations with Arab countries like Malaysia does.
Professor Shankari noted that the Indonesia has two kinds of cultural streams of people. One is the Abangan Society which is more fluid in its practice and also draws animist influences. The second one is Santhri society which is more orthodox version of Islam. The current government is taking measures to secure universal primary education in secular setting in order to avoid radicalization.