Indonesia

In his presidential address introducing Draft State Budget (RAPBN) before House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) on 6 January 1997, President Soeharto stated that 1997-98 would be the years of politics.1 Such a characterization was probably due to fact that during these years Indonesia would face two significant political events, namely, general elec tion to elect members of DPR held in May 1997, and presidential election to be held in March 1998. In this context, general election was of particular interest to both government and society. For former, general election served as a useful vehicle by which New Order sought to demonstrate continued acceptance by society of, at least in formal sense, its right to rule as a legitimate government. For many in society, general election brought about an unusual opportunity for them to participate directly in a major national political event. 1997 was also an unfortunate year for Indonesia. In addition to outbreak of a series of riots from beginning of year, it was also marked by a number of disasters such as fiasco over Busang gold concession, worst drought in many years, forest fires, and a financial crisis which led to closing down of sixteen privately owned banks. The Indonesian Government, through Co-ordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, declared on 14 September 1997 that Indonesia was under a state of national disaster.2 Even though declaration came as a response to growing concerns both in Indonesia and in neighbouring countries, especially Singapore and Malaysia, over forest fires which occurred in many parts of Indonesia, it reflected general situation in country. Indeed, at his end-of-year speech, President Soeharto admitted that 1997 was the year of for Indonesia.3 Both politics and sadness seemed to have dominated Indonesia's domestic developments in 1997. Many events resulted in a sense of despair, confusion, and uncertainty on part of people at large. For New Order govern ment, year presented a tremendous challenge to its ability to maintain

Anger · Political science · Politics · Sadness · Asian Studies and History · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Beyond democratic elections

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• Indonesia in 1996

  R William Liddle, Rizal Mallarangeng•Asian Survey•1997

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