Top Indonesian rock band sends strong message to combat

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002178 DEPT FOR R - U/S GLASSMAN DEPT FOR E - U/S JEFFERY DEPT FOR EAP DAS MARCIEL DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, INL SNYDER, INL ROESS DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ DOJ/OPDAT FOR ALEXANDRE/LEHMANN/JOHNSON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCOR KPAO ECON KJUS ID SUBJECT: Top Indonesian rock band sends strong message to combat corruption JAKARTA 00002178 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Top Indonesian rock band Slank and the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission chairman partnered with Embassy Jakarta on November 25 to promote youth participation in the political process, particularly combating corruption. Ambassador Hume hosted nearly 500 guests - largely university students and civil society leaders - at his residence for a "Welcome Home" concert after Slank's recent four-week U.S. tour. Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Antasari Azhar spoke to the crowd of university students, civil society leaders, and government officials, encouraging everyone to engage in the fight against corruption. The hour-long Slank concert was broadcast live on Indonesian radio and filmed for television broadcast, reaching over two million people through the 20 national media outlets covering the show. End Summary. Ambassador, KPK, and Slank partner to combat corruption -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Indonesian rock band Slank, the Rolling Stones of Indonesia, toured the U.S. in October and November to promote its newly-released album, wrapping up a 15-performance tour in Hollywood on November 20. Ambassador Hume invited Slank to perform at his residence for a "Welcome Home" concert on November 25 to highlight cultural links through music between Indonesia and the U.S. Beyond its star appeal in youth culture, Slank has promoted messages of youth participation in the political process, particularly combating corruption and environmental awareness. Slank performed on the steps of the Corruption Eradication Commission earlier this year, playing their hit song "Street Gossip," which lampoons the corrupt of all stripes. Members of Parliament filed a defamation case against the band for this song, but the case was quickly dropped after the arrest of several Members of Parliament on corruption charges. ¶3. (U) Corruption Eradication Commission Chairman Antasari Azhar addressed the crowd before the Slank performance. Azhar outlined goals for the Corruption Eradication Commission, highlighting messages of both prosecution and prevention. The KPK's popularity and credibility have strengthened under Azhar's leadership over the past year largely due to high-level prosecutions. At the concert, Azhar pressed the prevention message, encouraging the young leaders in attendance to combat corruption in all forms and in all places. Reaching youth and young leaders through music -------------- - ¶4. (U) The Embassy invited hundreds of youth and young leaders, drawn from university groups, civil society, and young leaders in government. The university groups - over half of the audience - included Muslim and Christian, private and public, elite and mainstream higher-education institutions. Civil society leaders included anti-corruption reform, legal reform, and environmental organizations. Several civil society members remarked that the event was a unique opportunity for groups from a variety of backgrounds to meet, dialogue, and unite around a common theme. ¶5. (U) Within the government, the Embassy invited young leaders from the Corruption Eradication Commission and the Attorney General's Anti-Corruption Task Force. In addition, the Embassy invited several Muslim youth organizations as well as business leaders. The Ambassador also invited the prominent Indonesian business leader Peter Gontha, who supported Slank's U.S. tour and is working with Embassy Jakarta to advance the Jakarta-Los Angeles sister city relationship. Slank's anti-corruption message reaches millions -------------- --- ¶6. (U) The Embassy worked with Indonesian media outlets GlobalTV and GlobalFM to broadcast the concert live over the radio and to film the concert. GlobalTV will re-broadcast the Slank "Welcome Home" concert during primetime on November 30, which will reach millions of viewers. In addition, over 20 national print, radio, and television media outlets covered the event, further adding to the JAKARTA 00002178 002.2 OF 002 event's audience. Slank, cultural diplomacy, and the U.S. image -------------- ¶7. (U) The actual Slank concert and resulting media coverage provided an opportunity for Embassy Jakarta to engage youth and other audiences that are typically difficult for Embassies to engage. It also allowed us to promote - and be associated with - an anti-corruption message that resonates with Indonesians, especially youth. Leading Indonesian language daily Kompas featured a front-page article and photo on November 27, titled "Slank and Cultural Diplomacy," which highlighted the concert's messages of youth-oriented cultural diplomacy and combating corruption. The sub-text of the concert and Kompas article were equally powerful: a popular Indonesian band promoting U.S.-Indonesian partnership and a positive, welcoming image of the United States. HUME