Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – While President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono proudly plays up Indonesia's achievements in democracy and human rights to world leaders at the Bali Democracy Forum on Thursday, his administration quietly avoided attending a ceremony to award Chinese dissident writer Liu Xiaobo with the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
"Democracy opens opportunities to anybody to talk and express opinions," Yudhoyono told representatives from 71 countries.
Liu, who was arrested by the Chinese government for "inciting subversion" after co-authoring a bold call for sweeping political reform, is serving an 11-year prison sentence – his fourth stretch of incarceration since 1989.
International media outlets, however, failed to mention the absence of Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, at the ceremony. Most outlets did not mention that Indonesia was one of 19 countries boycotting the ceremony to honor the Chinese human rights activist.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Indonesia would skip Friday's Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo and instead summon its ambassador to Norway, Esti Andayani, back to attend the Bali Democracy Forum.
Later on Thursday, observers and human rights activists accused Indonesia of bowing to pressure from China, with media earlier reporting that the Chinese government sent letters to foreign ministries and embassies urging diplomats to stay away from the ceremony in Oslo and warning of "consequences" for those who supported the pro-democracy activist. China also barred Liu's wife from attending.
"We deeply regret that Indonesia didn't send a representative because of Chinese pressure," Bara Hasibuan from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said.
He said it was crucial for Indonesia as the world's third-largest democracy to attend the ceremony to support democracy. "If Indonesia wants to be consistent with its commitments at the Bali Democracy Forum, it must also defend democratic principle when needed," Bara said.
International relations expert Hariyadi Wirawan said Chinese pressure was possibly behind Indonesia's decision to abstain because there was no requirement for an Indonesian ambassador to attend the Bali Democracy Forum.
"Indonesia is supposed to and should send an envoy to [the Nobel Peace Prize presentation ceremony], to support democracy and its symbols, including the Nobel Peace Prize," Hariyadi said.
Noted rights activist Hendardi also slammed Indonesia for its absence.
"This is a very bad precedent for the region as Indonesia is supposed to be the leader in democracy in this part of the world," he said.