The politics of Bahasa Indonesian

At university level, between 2001 and 2010 undergraduate enrolments in Bahasa Indonesian dropped nationally by 40 per cent. In NSW alone enrolments plunged by 71 percent. Between 2004 and 2009 Indonesian language programs closed in six Australian universities. In several states university Indonesian programs will have disappeared by 2020.

The government has long recognised the importance of Indonesian language. In 2004 the Commonwealth Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade recommended"that Indonesian Studies be designated a strategic national priority and that the Australian Research Council and the Department of Education, Science and Training be requested to recognise this in prioritising funding for both research and teaching."

Since 2006, Indonesian has been designated a 'Nationally Strategic Language' in Department of Education (DEEWR) funding agreements with universities. But the Parliamentary Committee's recommendation for prioritised funding has been ignored; no funding attaches to being a 'Nationally Strategic Language'.

To reverse Indonesian's decline David Hill has called on government to back the designation as a 'nationally strategic language' with appropriately strategic funding, for a National Indonesian Language in Universities Program (NILUP). The aim is to strengthen Indonesian programs, support quality teaching, while enhancing community links, and increasing demand for the language.

However, this may prove difficult. The image of Indonesia in recent events may contribute towards the apathy of government to fund Bahasa Indonesian teaching. Recent events: the violent death of student protesters in the transition to democracy in 1997-98, the Jakarta bombings of 2002, 2003, and 2009, the coverage of the imprisonment of Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine, the alleged role of Indonesian people smugglers in bringing asylum seekers to Australia, and the Bali bombings of 2002 and 2005, may have deterred Australian students from learning not only the language but the richness and diversity of Indonesia, its history and culture.

Sadly, according to Indonesian historian Adrian Vickers, Indonesia is generally featured in the world's media for political violence and involvement in international terrorism. It has rated at the top of international corruption watch lists, and its president between 1967 and 1998, Suharto, was corrupt and extorted significant national and international wealth from his country.

Negative images do not do justice to the country. It may have the largest Islamic population in the world, but no more than a few hundred would want to be associated with the fanatical violence of terrorism. Let these factors not detract us from learning about Indonesia and learning Bahasa Indonesia, if for national interests or for personal development.