Yuli Krisna, Bandung – The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit set to commence in Bali this weekend is part of the US government's efforts to control developing countries, a hard-line group said in a protest against US President Barack Obama, who is set to attend the event.
"Partnerships such as APEC are a reflection of global governance, which puts the United States as a controller with authority over developing countries, including Indonesia," Muhammad Riyan, chief of the West Java branch of hard-line group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, said during a press conference in Bandung on Wednesday.
The group said APEC had become the world's main economic power, with 40 percent of the world's population living in the region and with its domination of 44 percent of the world's trade activities.
"But that seemingly sweet macro-[economic] outlook is not in line with the facts for the people of Indonesia," Muhammad said. He added that since the signing of the free-trade policy by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, thousands of local businesses have had to close due to their inability to compete with foreign products.
Muhammad said that data showed 6,123 industries were undermined between 2007 and 2010 and that the free trade and investment liberalization agreement agreed upon through APEC would only worsen the situation.
"APEC is presented as something that aims to develop its member countries, but its main mission is for more developed countries to sharpen their free trade and open market agenda to dominate the world's economy," Muhammad said.
Other groups have also expressed resentment toward President Obama's upcoming visit. Roinnul Balad of the West Java Islamic Dakwah Council said efforts to welcome Obama to Indonesia, which include the deployment of five warships, were unnecessary.
"This country has been unnecessarily subjected to excessive welcoming efforts for that colonizing nation. The five warships show the world that Indonesia is not safe," Roinnul said.
Ahmad Anhary from Indonesia Sarekat Islam called on the public to reject Obama's arrival in Indonesia. "We should promote our rejection and make it our main issue. This is a serious issue for our nation and Muslims because we have the courage to say no to a powerful figure," he said.
Economist Rulli Indrawan said the opposition towards Obama was irrelevant as Indonesia's economic issues stemmed from the government's weaknesses.
"There are partnerships that show our position as weak, such as import policies that have made us dependant on foreign materials," he said. "So don't blame other countries because most of it should be blamed on our own weaknesses."