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Ratih Hardjono, White Tribe of Asia: An
Indonesian View of Australia, Monash Asia Institute, Melbourne, 1993, 249pp,
paperback
White Tribe of Asia was written for an
Indonesian audience. The book’s purpose, according to the author, ‘is not
to give a detailed description of the history of Australia, but rather to take
only certain themes and events as a guide to the understanding of Australia as
it is today and to show that Australia has an identity of its own that is no
longer dependent on England or Europe.’ It was originally sub-titled
‘Australia’s journey toward self-nationhood.’ Its English translation
offers a fascinating ‘looking-glass’ view of ourselves as seen by others. It
is also gives an insight into Indonesian values and concerns by what the book
includes, emphasises and omits.
Ratih Hardjono has been the Australian
correspondent for Kompas for the past five years. The original Indonesian
version was funded by the Australia-Indonesia Institute. The book has enjoyed
only limited sales in Indonesia. We are obviously not the ‘flavour of the
month’ in Jakarta.
The book is written in an easily read style
and well laid out. It s divided into five sections: The Aborigines (who are
covered elsewhere in the book as well); Post-European settlement; geography;
Australian worldview and security; and contemporary politics and future
directions. Within these sections there are a number of themes and recurring
topics, e.g., Australian-Asian relations, multiculturalism and immigration.
There are a number of factual errors but this
is understandable coming from an outsider. Notable omissions are the subject of
East Timor an its significant expatriate community in Australia. While an
overwrought subject to Australian media, this must be of some interest to
Indonesians and the subject’s exclusion may reflect its sensitivity. Even the
Fiji coups receive sizable coverage.
The author shows significant knowledge of
defense policy development and the debate surrounding security issues. There is
an emphasis on the Australia’s inability to threaten Indonesia. The author
articulates the Australian view that the Five Powers Defense Arrangements are
not a counter to Indonesia, and accepts the vital role played by Indonesia
in allowing F/A-18s to stage via Indonesia to Butterworth, Malaysia.
A few points of interest include comments on
India’s defense force. The author plays down any concerns in this regard but
does so at length and stresses India’s growing capabilities. This may reflect
Indonesia’s view of India. On another point the author states that Australia
could not ignore extra-regional interference in the South Pacific but wonders
what action Australia could take in the face of any threat.
The author gives considerable coverage to the
former Prime Minister Hawke, and Ministers Beazely and Evans. This was not
merely because they were key government members, but because of access provided
by them and their staffers to the author, as she acknowledges in the book. This
effort has been rewarded as the author explains well the government’s
viewpoint throughout he book. Senator Hill of the Opposition also left a
favourable impression. This proactive media liaison contributes as much as joint
military exercise, academic seminars and other official contacts to making
Australian defense policy transparent.
In summary, there is much in the book for
Australian readers but some is to be found ‘between the lines’.
Published in Defender, Winter 1993
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