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JAKARTA : Indonesia - Southeast Asia's largest economy - will be part of the great transformation that's taking place in Asia.
However, Indonesia's story and the rest of Asia's transformation have not been fully spread to the world because the international media is still dominated by the West.
This was the analysis from Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Asia's foremost strategic thinker, who was speaking in a presidential lecture in Jakarta.
Professor Mahbubani from Singapore is only the third person invited for the presidential lecture series, which was started by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Professor Mahbunani drove home the point that Indonesia is poised to be part of the great transformation taking place in Asia.
Professor Mahbubani, Dean of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said: "Indonesia has already played a heroic role in the transformation of Asia.
"It has successfully made one of the most difficult transitions any society has to make - the transition to full democracy. This is a remarkable story which has not been fully understood by the world."
Professor Mahbubani said it was a tragedy that Indonesia's story has not fully spread to the world.
He argued that it stemmed from the fact that the international media is dominated by the West, which cannot comprehend that Asia can do better than the West in many areas.
As a result the world does not understand what is happening in Asia, and many Asians too are not aware of the historical transformation in their own backyard.
In his 2-hour lecture, attended by key cabinet ministers, scholars and leading businessmen, Professor Mahbubani shared his thoughts on the lessons to be learnt from the rise of China and India.
The former Singapore envoy to the United Nation demonstrated his deft diplomatic skills when he had this to say at the close of his lecture - "In conclusion, I want you to remember the three prescriptions - social contract, belief and youth. Please remember them by the acronym SBY."
SBY stands for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is poised to seek a second term in office next year. - CNA /ls
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