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about Indonesia...?

Hi, I,m Indonesian, and I so curious with American opinion about Indonesia. so please tell me what's your opinion about Indonesia?

Public Comments

1. Well, I'm not closed minded like a lot of Americans but I think most of them think that Indonesians are poor and probably most Americans haven't even heard of Indonesia until the earthquakes struck there a couple years ago. At least that's how it is in the southern United States. Ppl don't even know that Nigeria is a country down here. And ppl think that all ppl in Africa are half-naked and starving to death and are surprised that there are educated ppl and colleges there.
2. I am American and visited Indonesia once, several years ago -- Bali , that is. Until several years ago Indonesia was considered a very foreign and exotic place to us. It was not familiar to us, unlike China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam are. Most Americans can not find Indonesia on the map of the world. They never heard of Jakarta and cannot name one city in Indonesia. They often confuse it with Malaysia or the Philippines. Since the bombing of the places in Bali and the rise of the Islamic Jihadist movement, now most Americans are very much aware of it -- but I am very sorry to say, not in a good way. Now most Americans are aware Indonesia is mostly an Islamic country (a typical American comment: 'how can that be??? Aren't most people in Southeast Asia either Buddhist or Hindu??? Muslims?? You mean like in Egypt or Saudi Arabia??) It made the television news a few years ago when members of a Jihadist group were roaming around Jakarta airport looking to harass or beat up Israeli or Jewish people (!) So right now, Indonesia is not popular in the United States. I know better. I am more educated. The food is excellant! We have two or three Indonesian restaurants here in Philadelphia. I love Indonesian Rijstaffel. I also would love to see Borobudur in the near future!
3. Well, I am Australian-American. I think Indonesia is a great country that might become a superpower one day. I've visited Indonesia and it really felt like heaven. However, I think Indonesia needs a tough and strategic leader, so a combination of Sukarno and Suharto. With a leader like that, Indonesia will prosper really quickly.
4. I'm not American but I'm a travel writer who has traveled a lot in Indonesia. The country and people are excellent and local food is fantastic. The only problem is with Indonesian budget airlines who charge low and compromise on flight safety by poor maintenance of their aircraft.