Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 11 - Evidence - Meeting of May 14, 2014
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:15 p.m. to study security conditions and economic developments in the Asia-Pacific region, the implications for Canadian policy and interests in the region, and other related matters.
Senator A. Raynell Andreychuk (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: We are here to continue our study on security conditions and economic developments in the Asia-Pacific region, the implications for Canadian policy and interests in the region, and other related matters.
Before I turn to our witnesses today, I want to indicate that we sent to Ms. Diane Finley our note expressing our condolences on the passing of one of our members, Doug Finley. She has replied with a short note that I will pass to you for your interest. We will pass it around so that you know.
Second, our witness today, Her Excellency, has asked if photographs can be taken just at the start of the hearing for their purposes. I am inclined to agree with it; Senator Downe agrees.
Senator D. Smith: Agreed.
The Chair: Is it agreed that photographs can be taken?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you. In conducting our studies, we have chosen to focus on four countries: Indonesia, Myanmar-Burma, the Philippines and Singapore.
We are pleased that Her Excellency has responded to the invitation to present before the committee. Her Excellency Dienne Moehario, Ambassador to Canada from the Republic of Indonesia. She is accompanied by other officials from the embassy.
She is known to us since she has come to assume her duties. I will not go into any extensive biography but welcome you on behalf of your country, and thank you for your ability to come before us and make a presentation.
You are aware of the scope of our study and the interest. I think you also have been in Canada long enough to know that senators love to ask questions and that that is where our good conversations can go.
Without any further introductions, I welcome you to the committee on behalf of our members and would ask you to introduce your colleagues and make the presentation before we turn to questions. Welcome to the committee.
Her Excellency Dienne H. Moehario, Ambassador to Canada, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia: I would like to thank you, Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade; the Honourable Senator Percy E. Downe, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and the honourable members of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Good afternoon.
I am here with my colleagues, Cicilia Rusdiharini, Minister Counselor for Politics; and to my right, Hikmat Moeljawan, Counselor for Economy; and to my far left, Sulistya Widayanta, Trade Attaché; and my colleagues, the Second Secretary of Political Affairs and my colleagues from communications at the embassy.
I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to share with honourable senators the security conditions and economic developments in Indonesia and how Indonesia reflects its policy towards ASEAN and Asia-Pacific. In the span of the 68 years of independence the Indonesian government has worked hard and been determined to build a better Indonesia. The development is directed towards a more prosperous and democratic Indonesia in a dynamic global environment, that provides both opportunities and challenges.
Indonesia has an enduring belief in the efficacy and effectiveness of diplomacy, in maintaining peace and security, in advancing social progress and economic prosperity and in promoting democracy, human rights and tolerance.
Together with its partners in ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia is steadily developing regional architecture conducive to the peaceful promotion on human rights and democracy, which we call the ASEAN Political Security Community. Together with the economic communities and the sociocultural community pillars, it makes up the ASEAN community we are to achieve by 2015. We promote the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN charter.
We have the process to have the ASEAN community. We have the ASEAN plus one, the ASEAN plus 3, the East Asia Summit, the Asia East Regional Forum and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. We see this as being a multi-track policy toward building the East Asia community.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia has always been initiating the establishment of "dynamic equilibrium," a condition characterized by the absence of a dominant state power, and patterns of relationship are based on the spirit of cooperation and partnership. We are certainly still facing traditional challenges, such as potential conflicts concerning border disputes and territorial claims. During the ASEAN Summit and ASEAN foreign minister's meeting on May 10, 2014, ASEAN countries expressed serious concerns over the ongoing developments in the South China Sea. Indonesia has been emphasizing the central role of ASEAN for the stability, security and order in the South China Sea region, with reference to the ASEAN's six points of principles on the South China Sea. In this regard, all the stakeholders must work more earnestly and more urgently in concluding the code of conduct to ensure that the realities on the ground are in synchronization with diplomatic efforts.
Indonesia also continues to actively encourage the development of democracy and the protection and promotion of human rights at the regional and world levels. In this regard, Indonesia annually holds the Bali Democracy Forum as a dialogue forum for the promotion of democracy in Asia-Pacific and the wider region.
Indonesia was the host of the sixth Forum of the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation in Bali in 2013, which was preceded by the thirteenth SOM and FEALAC Working Group meetings. FEALAC was established primarily to promote comprehensive cooperation and bi-regional dialogues.
Since its establishment, FEALAC is the only intergovernmental cooperation forum that connects the East Asian region and Latin American region with a total trade volume of U.S. $267 billion in 2011. Currently, FEALAC represents 40 per cent of the world population, 32 per cent of the world economy and more than 40 per cent of the world trade. FEALAC consists of 36 member states comprising 16 East Asian countries, including ASEAN.
Indonesia recognizes the importance of cooperation in the framework of FEALAC to improve bilateral relations with member countries between the two regions. Since the establishment of FEALAC in 1999, Latin American countries have become important trading partners for Indonesia.
Indonesia joins forces with four other members of G20, namely Mexico, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, to launch MIKTA as an informal platform of countries, which are like-minded on many issues and whose active contribution is essential for devising solutions to regional problems. MIKTA aims to contribute to global governance reform and G20 work as well as to facilitate solutions to global challenges.
Ministers of foreign affairs of MIKTA met in Mexico City on April 14, 2014, and they underlined their countries' common interests and similarities in that they represent open economies that promote free trade and foreign investment. MIKTA are large democracies and resilient economies with potential for high growth rates. We have strong domestic markets, moderate inflation rates and populations with rising purchasing power.
As a member of G20, Indonesia supports the joint efforts to achieve stronger, balanced, inclusive and sustainable global growth. Indonesia is committed to advancing the interests of developing countries at the G20. We encourage the establishment of food and energy security, infrastructure development, social protection, financial inclusion, fair trade and job creation. Indonesia not only emphasizes its national interests in international forums but also strives for mutual interests among nations in the world.
As a member of the United Nations, we are also committed to achieving global sustainable development. To arrange and provide recommendations on the global development agenda post-2015 millennium development goals, the UN Secretary-General has appointed the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of Liberia as co-chairs of the UN High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Through this forum, Indonesia contributed to the concept and formulation of the sustainable development goals as the continuance of the millennium development goals.
Indonesia is currently featured as an emerging economy. Indonesia is a middle-income country with a poverty rate that has been gradually decreasing. The population of the poor dropped from 16.66 per cent in 2004 to 11.37 per cent in 2013. The unemployment rate was also lowered from 9.86 per cent in 2004 to 5.92 per cent in 2013.
The year 2013 is very special for Indonesia because we convened the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit meetings in Bali and we held the WTO ministerial meetings in Bali in the same year. Indonesia also fought actively for the establishment of a global partnership so that we could join the world in abolishing poverty and achieving sustainable and equitable growth.
The collaboration and synergy among the central government, local governments, businesses, banking institutions and other institutions is key for the development of Indonesia. Indonesia carefully provides fiscal stimulus. We control the situation in order to prevent a new wave of unemployment. We give protection to support and ease the burden of the lower middle class that is experiencing economic hardship. Our economy has been steady, without an explosion of unemployment. Inflation is stable, and other economic indicators are also controlled.
Indonesia has experienced reform for 15 years. We have changed the tide of history by presenting a new way of life for the nation. In an atmosphere that is much safer, Indonesia can promote higher economic growth. Nevertheless, Indonesia must remain vigilant in the midst of global economic turmoil that is less favourable. Indonesia is covering the decline in exports by increasing investments in the country and exploring the potential of the domestic market.
Indonesia continually monitors the movement of oil prices. It is essential that the fuel subsidy does not continue to increase and measures must be taken to anticipate it. The fuel subsidy is managed through restrictions and savings so that the burden of the state budget can be reduced gradually. Therefore, the allocation of the fuel subsidy can be used for infrastructure improvement and development. The government also continues to seek, develop and utilize new and renewable energy as an alternative.
Efforts to reduce the gap in unemployment are mainly driven by industrial development within the framework of the master plan for the acceleration and expansion of Indonesia's economic development. MP3EI encourages economic growth driven by innovation which focuses on the development of knowledge capital through the strengthening of science and technology.
Honourable senators, allow me to reiterate my appreciation to you for giving me the opportunity to deliver a brief presentation on the progress that Indonesia has made in terms of security and economic development, be it inward or outward looking. I hope it will encourage Indonesia and Canada to further deepen bilateral engagement by focusing on increasing prosperity through trade, investment and economic cooperation; political and security cooperation; and through collaboration on social, education, cultural and people-to-people contacts, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada in the joint statement issued after the Bilateral Consultative Forum in Canada on August 23, 2013. Thank you.
The Chair: Thank you. I do have a list of senators. You have covered a lot of ground and I will turn to the deputy chair for the first question.
Senator Downe: Thank you very much for that presentation. It was a great overview.
Relations between our two countries are working very well — at least I think they are; if they are not, correct me. However, things are never perfect. What would be the top priority for your country in relations with Canada? That is, something you would like to have improved or fixed to make the relationship even better?
Ms. Moehario: We would like primarily to work with you on the economy. We would like Canada to support Indonesia in infrastructure. We would like the support of Canada because Indonesia and the ASEAN would like to build connectivity. We would like to be an ASEAN community in 2015. In this regard, we have already improved the investment climate in Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia has provided incentives for investors to develop Canada, particularly industries and infrastructure, for example, the negative investment list. The Government of Indonesia has launched the new negative investment list regulation. The spirit behind the new revision is clear, namely, that we must continue to improve our investment climate, promote Indonesia as an investor-friendly location and to make Indonesia more competitive. The revision of the negative investment list is easier to understand, less restrictive and in line with sectorial laws and regulations.
For the infrastructure sectors, Indonesia would promote public-private partnerships that we would like to work on with Canada because Canada is advanced in public-private partnership projects. Foreign investors may have 95 per cent of ownership on PPP infrastructure projects during the concession period for the development of port facilities, while for non-PPP projects the foreign owners are limited to only 49 per cent. For electricity generation of over 10 megawatts, foreign ownership may have up to 100 per cent through PPP projects during the concession period, while for non-PPP projects it is 95 per cent.
We are also working for tax holiday facilities. We are also improving our tax allowance facilities and the facilities for the PPP projects. Those are the grounds that we would like to offer to Canada, namely that all the regulations and all the matters relating to the private-public partnerships are improved in Indonesia.
Senator Downe: Thank you very much, ambassador.
[Translation]
Senator Fortin-Duplessis: Your Excellency, I appreciate your appearance before our committee. I also think you are a friend of some Canadian senators. So it is a double pleasure to have you here.
Your country is experiencing tremendous economic growth, and many witnesses have strongly encouraged us to make recommendations and suggestions to increase trade between our two countries. However, some business associations point out that the main obstacle to investing in Indonesia is the poor quality of infrastructure.
You said so in your document. You are also hoping to form a partnership with Canada to improve your infrastructure. I have been to Bali and I was able to see that the roads needed to be repaired, so I would like to know whether you have already started to upgrade the infrastructure of harbours, buildings and so on. Has the work been started?
[English]
Ms. Moehario: We had an Indonesia Investment Trade Day on May 7 and 8 in Toronto, back to back. We had meetings with businesses for the promotion of public-private partnerships. In those meetings, we offered Canada the program for infrastructure development.
We are now proposing a project infrastructure investment plan in toll roads, water supply and waste management. With the toll road structure, Indonesia is planning to improve the road network in all parts of the country.
At the moment we have started the development of Trans-Java and then Trans-Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan and Sulawesi highways, with all totaling 5,415 kilometres. This year, 2014, we will start to build the Trans Sumatra Highway with a length of 2,723 kilometres and not only toll roads. On May 8 we offered Canadian businesses a look at Indonesia's proposal for the water supply sector. In order to achieve the millennium development goals road map in 2015, Indonesia needs approximately US $7.3 billion to establish water supply for an additional 8.5 million house connections.
We would also like Canadian businesses to come to Indonesia to have a look at projects for waste management. Based on recent statistics, it is estimated that only 54 per cent of the total Indonesian population receive public waste collection services. While the target based on the millennium development goals is 70 per cent in 2015, the nation's rapid annual population growth and the alteration of communities' consumption patterns have resulted in a significant escalation of solid waste generation by 2 per cent to 4 per cent per year. Moreover, our major cities have already reached 10 million tons of waste per year.
In 2014 there are 11 infrastructure projects with public-private partnerships, PPP, schemes, which are worth around US$8.2 billion that we are promoting to investors. It covers various infrastructure sectors, such as water supply, railways, toll roads, waste management, as well as airport projects.
Senator D. Smith: Ambassador, it's very nice to see you. We have come to know each other through a number of events. I think all of us would like to see stronger ties with Indonesia. It's registering on a lot of people that this is the fourth largest population in the world. That's an eye-opener for a lot of people.
Are there any specific problems in terms of improving trade? I include tourism, but tourism is a little harder sell. It's a long flight compared to the Caribbean and even Hawaii. Are there any specific problems in terms of improving trade between the two countries that we should focus on? I want to give you the invitation. If there is some problem, let's hear about it.
Ms. Moehario: We don't have any problems. Canada gave Indonesia support during Indonesia's independence in 1945. General Andrew McNaughton was in the Security Council at that time and he supported Indonesia's bid for independence and it was admitted by the international community in 1949. Indonesia's independence came in 1945. There is no challenge or hindrance between the two countries.
With Indonesian independence, we would like to work with Canada in our development. We celebrated our bilateral relations and diplomatic relations of 60 years in 2012. Now it is already 63 years. It is not young anymore.
We would like more business to come to Indonesia and vice versa, because for our part we do so much in participating in Canada's investment trade shows, for example, Salon International d'Alimentation, SIAL, in Toronto and Montreal every year.
We are also part of the ITTF, International Trade Tourism Festivals in Montreal and Vancouver. We are also participating in those activities. We would like to have more visits more often for business to see, for example, Indonesia's Trade Expo in October 2014. This Trade Expo Indonesia convenes annually.
Senator D. Smith: Sounds encouraging. Thank you.
Senator Demers: Thank you for being here, ambassador. We talked about the economy and I have a question for you, please.
According to the Asian Development Bank, large segments of the population have not benefited from the region's fast pace of economic growth and in some cases socio-economic inequalities have widened. To what extent have economic growth and the reduction of poverty translated into other socio-economic improvements, such as better access to health services, education, clean water and sanitation services in the Asia-Pacific region?
Ms. Moehario: It is about the composition of the geography in Indonesia. As we see in the tourist package, we consist of islands and thousands of ethnic groups and it is not an easy task. Of course, there is a gap because people are living in the mountains and need infrastructure. We do our best to help the autonomous provinces to develop. In that capacity, the government is supporting them for the autonomous provinces to be independent and more projects to be undertaken in their provinces.
In this regard, we are working with Canada to establish connectivity infrastructure. We would like to establish our commitment with Canada to develop cooperatives because Canadian cooperatives are very good. That can be one of the best examples in the world for Indonesia.
That's what I can convey to you. With our geographical needs it is not easy for us to make it one entity, but in overcoming the problems of connectivity it will be easier for us to make Indonesia balanced for education, for social welfare and to reduce poverty.
Senator Dawson: Tomorrow a great Canadian product is being re-launched after many years of success. BlackBerry has a strong presence in your country and I know they are re-attacking the market now with their Z3 Jakarta edition. They really believe you are a growth market. Thank you for welcoming this Canadian product; there are still hopes for it and we are glad you are participating in that re-launch. I'd appreciate your comments on that.
On another subject, we've heard here at the committee about the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative on the mining industry and their practices around the world that in some cases create problems. Do the Canadian companies that are active in the mining industry in your country create problems or is it done on the basis of cooperation?
Ms. Moehario: Indonesia is fond of the BlackBerry. The young generation and the old generation are fond of the BlackBerry. We would like to have BlackBerry open job opportunities. Please open a factory in our country so the centre of BlackBerry is not in Canada or in the other countries. We would like to have one of your offices opened in Indonesia to open job opportunities.
Vale Inco is a mining company working closely with the government. As far as I know they don't have any difficulties, and they are all on the right track.
Senator Dawson: I think that one thing I would like to add is to keep up the good work. I think your success of recent years, both on economic and democratic development, has been a very good example for the rest of your neighbours. I really encourage you. Having had the occasion to talk to you in the context of the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Quebec City, I know development of the democratic process is one of your priorities. I welcome them, and think members here who are part of the parliamentary associations appreciate it, so thank you very much.
Senator Housakos: Welcome to our committee.
Would you be able to tell our committee what barometer the Indonesian government uses to determine the poverty level and what would those thresholds be?
Ms. Moehario: From 2005 to 2025 we have national long-term development planning. This includes how we would like to reduce poverty. The national long-term development planning encompasses 20 years of development planning. This is implemented through national middle-term development planning for a period of five years respectively. We would like to have, a strategy to reduce our poverty.
The important thing in reducing poverty is to encourage education. Not all can reach out for education, because of the scattered islands and also a lot of the mountains. We would like to improve our education. With education we would like to have national poverty reduced accordingly to support Indonesia for the 21st century.
Senator Housakos: I'd like to know more specifically in terms of your thresholds when you determine who falls into the category of being poor, or poverty. Is it based on average income level? What are the barometers that you use to calculate that?
For example, in Canada we determine that anyone who has to live under X amount of dollars a year is considered to be living in poverty. I want to know the threshold that the Indonesian government uses. I understand the initiative in regard to furthering education and other initiatives of that nature. Fundamentally what I'm asking is what threshold your government uses to determine who falls into the category of poverty.
A follow-up question I also have is if you can tell the committee what the minimum wage is in Indonesia. What percentage of the labour force in Indonesia is unionized?
Ms. Moehario: Thank you. For the rising population share of Indonesia's middle class, they are those who spend $2 to $20 U.S. per day. That's what I can convey to you.
And about the minimum wage, I will ask my counselor for economy to answer.
Hikmat Moeljawan, Counselor for Economy, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia: Thank you very much indeed. The basic minimum wage for Indonesia differs from one region to another. I do not have specific details of, let's say, the province of Jakarta or the province of East Java.
I understand that the province of Jakarta is the highest in Indonesia. Again, I don't have the details, but I can say it's about 3 million rupiahs per month, equivalent to about $300 U.S. a month. Again, this differs from one area to another, but we will be very glad to provide you with the details. Again, we have minimum wage criteria, but it differs from one area to another.
Senator Housakos: On average you say it's about $300 U.S. a month?
Mr. Moeljawan: Yes, minimum wage.
Senator Housakos: I understand from your presentation that it's important for Indonesia, and you have a very pan-Asian perspective, which is important to your nation. How do you create a balance going forward when there is such a lack of homogeneity between Indonesia and the other Asian countries? There's a big difference in terms of your economic situation, political situation and social dynamics. I find they're very different in the ASEAN countries. How are you able to manage those differences going forward with your perspective of building a pan-Asian strategy?
Ms. Moehario: ASEAN is a fact of life. As a country of the region, it is of vital national interest to see an ASEAN that is strong, vibrant and therefore in line with our own national interests.
Indonesia believes that we have those qualities that make us able to address or build bridges between different interests, different capabilities and different inclinations, and this has been increasingly the case in terms of Indonesia's policy.
We can make greater efforts to bridge differences and be a part of the solution, given Indonesia's unique qualities.
In 2013 we decided to invest in ASEAN, in building the ASEAN community. It was because of what we anticipated we will bring to the East Asia-wide community, how we can live up to the notion of the ASEAN league or ASEAN centrality. We cannot simply, as a matter of constant pronouncement, expect that the centrality of ASEAN will come about one night. It has to be earned. It is not an easy task.
In recent days and weeks we have seen that relations between individual ASEAN member countries are somewhat challenged, for example between Cambodia and Thailand. Between countries in Southeast Asia and those in conflict in the South China Sea, we see a lot of different positions.
We must be aware that there is no gap between our supposed regional aspiration and the reality of bilateral relations. We do our best to improve our country, like Myanmar and Laos, to make sure they are with us. Like other countries in Southeast Asia, we are at an emerging level, and they need to be supported by other countries.
We are convinced, for example, that before Myanmar takes the lead for the ASEAN leaders now, 2014, as ASEAN chairman, Indonesia convinced Myanmar, "You will be with us but you have to assure the world that you also respect good governance, protection of human rights, and you also need to have democratization. It's up to you."
During the Indonesian chairmanship in 2011, Indonesia convinced Myanmar, "If you would like to be with us, please support us also, and we will give you a chance to convince us that you are also able to be a leader in ASEAN."
That's how Indonesia is promoting other countries, like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, to be more independent for their economy, and then they will be looking for the world, and the world will be looking for them as the other ASEAN countries.
That's what Indonesia is doing as a soft power. This is about the efficacy of the soft power that Indonesia does with other countries of ASEAN. Indonesia believes that its strength, in terms of diplomacy, lies in its soft powers. Here we have been dealing with the question of overcoming conflicts, including terrorism. It is not only in the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, but other countries like Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
We would like to promote interfaith dialogue between ASEAN and Asia-Pacific. We would like to promote cooperation between them and with countries in Asia-Pacific. By promoting an interfaith dialogue, the differences will be reduced. And engagement is the clearest example of how we believe soft power can be the key effective instrument in dealing with many of the world's challenges, including the regional challenges in this country that need to be supported.
Senator Ataullahjan: I welcome you, Your Excellency. You have reached out to most of us senators and you do good work on behalf of the Government of Indonesia.
As the fourth most populous country in the world, with a large, youthful population, Indonesia has an advantage with regard to human capital. However, there have been reports of a looming talent shortage, that economic development cannot be sustainable unless there is a better qualified workforce.
Can you tell me a bit about what the government is doing to reform the education sector and provide access to formal education?
Ms. Moehario: The country is promoting nine-year education. People will have free education to the ninth year of education, until junior high school. That is what we would like to promote with regard to promoting education as human capital. We will also take them for training. We would also like them to go outside the country to learn more about the development of other countries. When they are in the private sector or civil servants, we want to take them outside the country for their training, and with that training, they will be capable of supporting Indonesia's economy.
We have also polytechnic institutions in addition to formal education, because not all Indonesians have the budget for their children to go to university. We would like them to go for practical and effective matters. They can go to the polytechnic and when they graduate, they can find a job according to their qualification.
The Chair: We are focusing on Canada's policy, which includes provinces. To what extent have you moved into working with provinces in furthering economic opportunities? I am aware that Canada has always had an association with Indonesia, through wheat more than anything in the early days. We know that sometimes our competitors are some of our best friends like Australia.
How are you maximizing using the provincial structures and the provincial authorities in moving forward in our relationship?
Ms. Moehario: It is very important to have friends in association because they can gather all the specialties in businesses and then they can exchange visits and exchange views and dialogue during their visit in Canada. Sometimes they do it by themselves without the involvement of the embassy because they know their way and have friends in Canada. So they go along with their counterpart in Indonesia.
For example, we have the potash association between Indonesia and Saskatchewan. We are very close with them. Indonesia imports potash also from Canada — wheat and potash. And Indonesia is working with Canada, for example, with Bombardier. They are one of our colleagues. We are working with them very closely and it is very positive. They know how to use friendship with Canadian counterparts.
We have a sister city between Indonesia's province of Banten in Java and the province of Nova Scotia.
The Chair: Over the last number of years we have heard a lot about the BRIC countries, that they are on the move both economically and politically, and they certainly have made a difference in how we look at trading blocs and strengths in the world community. More recently, we are now hearing that the one we should be paying attention to is MINT. Do you want to comment on how you believe this will change the dynamics in the world, this association of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey?
Ms. Moehario: Because of our peace and stability, some of the countries made a commitment. They signed a treaty in cooperation, including Canada. Based on the stability in the region and in the country, Indonesia can develop friendships with other countries in the world.
We find the BRIC and the MINT as our friends because it is one part of supporting economic development by exchanging capabilities and the same level of development in this region. It is vice versa with the benefit of the BRIC and MINT. We have the vision that by having the benefits from each country, we would like to reduce poverty. We would like to increase welfare and we would like to achieve the visions of the millennium development goals assigned to Indonesia as the coordinator to follow up with the millennium development goals assigned by the UN Secretary-General. That is what we want, to have friends in the regions at a level of capability with Indonesia, and we would like to continue to work with them accordingly.
It is best to get on with the business of deepening cooperation with these groups to have greater interaction and integration, which will lead to some kind of community conditions to build in the groups of the community. It is not only the East Asia settings but also how to develop a good relationship in groupings across the regions, to have global partnership and global governance for the future.
[Translation]
Senator Fortin-Duplessis: Your Excellency, in a few months, Indonesia will have a new president, and I suspect you know who the candidates are. You must have heard about them. Do you think there will be major changes to the way Jakarta conducts diplomacy?
In your view, could this revitalize or deteriorate the relations between our two countries?
[English]
Ms. Moehario: Our foreign policy will not be changed by persons because the new president will respect the Indonesian Constitution of 1945.
Foreign policy is not building because of the president. He gave us guidance, but our foreign policy comes from the voice of the domestic sector and from the Constitution of Indonesia.
The relationship with our colleagues such as Canada will not change, because what the new president needs to do is figure out how to strengthen it and how to increase good relations with Canada and to make sure that Indonesia knows more about Canada's potential as a soft power. That is important for the new President of Indonesia.
Senator Ataullahjan: Your Excellency, since 2004 a quota has been placed on female candidates in political parties in Indonesia. It requires that each political party field at least 30 female candidates to participate in a given electoral district. A political party must have 30 per cent female candidates. That is one woman for every two men. This regulation was fully enforced in the 2009 election. Did it result in more females in Parliament? Was this quota in place for the recent election?
Ms. Moehario: We have 30 per cent of the female candidates in Indonesia, and we would like to have them proportionately, and we would like to promote female candidates in every government, officials, parliamentarians, and also in every sector of Indonesia's life.
The Chair: Your Excellency, I thank you and your team for bringing us so much information. We appreciate that you provided us with the Indonesian perspective.
We anticipate that we will be able to make a visitation, so your evidence will be a starting point as we work with your country. We will also ask for your assistance as to perhaps ministries and officials that we can meet with that you think would be helpful in furthering the Canada-Indonesia relationship and, therefore, our understanding of it.
Senators, we are now adjourned, and on your behalf, I will thank the ambassador again for coming forward.
I will remind you that our session tomorrow will start at 11:30 for one hour, until 12:30.
(The committee adjourned.)