World forum praises Indonesian democracy

Sun,  11 April 2010

The Jakarta Post

The 6th Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy, which commenced in Jakarta on Sunday, praised Indonesia for its embracing of democracy.

Delivered the opening address to the forum Malaysian, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Indonesia was the only country in Southeast Asia whose democracy had survived despite challenges such as corruption and marginalization.

“[In Indonesia] there’s a firm commitment to building and strengthening the institutions of freedom and democracy that make all of us in the region very proud to be associated with the great people of Indonesia,” Anwar said.

“I hereby express my gratitude to the Indonesian people for the great phenomenon of transformation,” he said, referring to the 11-years of reforms in Indonesia that replaced the preceding three decades of authoritarian regime under former president Soeharto.