From Chaos to Change: Indonesia’s Journey to Democracy
Andi Malika Nurfalah Primayadi, Volunteer - EngagePolitica
The Downfall of The New Order
Indonesia’s transition to democracy or also known as the Reformasi Era, began with the fall of it’s second president, Mr. Soeharto in May 1998. Soeharto’s resignation marked the end of his 31-year authoritarian rule, known as the New Order regime. His downfall was precipitated by a combination of economic crisis, political pressure, and public outrage.
The Asian financial crisis of 1997 severely impacted Indonesia, leading this country to a dramatic devaluation of the rupiah, skyrocketing inflation, and widespread unemployment. This economic turmoil exacerbated existing grievances over corruption, nepotism, and human rights abuses under Suharto's regime. Mass protests erupted across the country, with students and civil society groups demanding political reform and Suharto's resignation. The situation reached a boiling point in May 1998, when violent clashes and widespread unrest forced Suharto to step down, handing over power to his vice president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who then became the third president of the Indonesia Republic.
Subsequent Reforms
Following Soeharto's resignation, Indonesia then embarked on a series of political and institutional reforms aimed at dismantling the structures of the New Order and establishing a democratic system, including:
Political Liberalization:
B.J. Habibie’s administration lifted restrictions on political parties, allowing for greater political competition. Which then led to the formation of numerous new political parties and a more vibrant political landscape.
Free & Fair Elections:
The first free and fair parliamentary election was held in 1999, followed by the first direct presidential election in 2004. These elections were crucial in legitimizing the new democratic framework and restoring public trust in the political process.
Decentralization:
One of the most significant reforms was the decentralization of power from the central government to regional and local governments. The 1999 Regional Autonomy Law aimed to empower local governments, improve public services, and foster local democracy.
Human Rights & Rule of Law:
Reforms were introduced to strengthen human rights protections and the rule of law. This included the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and efforts to reform the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
Economic Reforms:
The government then implemented economic reforms to stabilize the economy and promote growth. These included measures to improve financial regulation, attract foreign investment, and address corruption.
Challenges in Consolidating Democracy
Despite significant progress, Indonesia has also face several challenges in consolidating its democracy during the Reformasi Era, such as:
Corruption:
Corruption remains a pervasive problem, undermining public trust in political institutions and hindering economic development. Efforts to combat corruption, such as the establishment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) faced resistance from entrenched interests.
Political Fragmentation:
The proliferation of political parties led to a fragmented political landscape, making it difficult to achieve stable and effective governance. Coalition-building became a complex and often contentious process.
Human Rights Abuses:
While reforms improved human rights protections, issues such as extrajudicial killings, police brutality, and religious intolerance persisted. Ensuring accountability for past and ongoing human rights abuses remained a challenge.
Regional Inequality:
Decentralization led to uneven development across regions, with some areas benefiting more than others. Addressing regional disparities and ensuring equitable distribution of resources became crucial for maintaining national unity.
Military Influence:
Reducing the military's role in politics was a key objective of the Reformasi era. While progress was made, the military continued to wield significant influence in certain areas, posing challenges to civilian supremacy.
Conclusion
The Reformasi Era marked a transformative period in Indonesia's history, characterized by the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. The fall of Soeharto in 1998 triggered a wave of political and institutional reforms that laid the foundation for democratic governance. However, the journey to consolidating democracy was fraught with challenges, including corruption, political fragmentation, human rights abuses, regional inequality, and military influence. Despite these obstacles, Indonesia's democratic evolution during the Reformasi Era represents a significant achievement and continues to shape the nation's political landscape.
Get To Know The Author
Andi Malika Nurfalah Primayadi, more commonly known as Malika, is a 16-year-old high school student in Indonesia. She is highly passionate about topics such as politics and law, which led her to sign up for and join EngagePoliticia. In her spare time, she loves to read novels and write short stories. From 2023 to early 2024, some of her writings were published by a local publisher in Indonesia.
References
Aspinall, Edward. "Indonesia: The Irony of Success." Journal of Democracy, 2010.
Kingsbury, Damien. "The Reformasi Era in Indonesia: An Overview." Asian Survey, 2003.
Liddle, R. William. "Indonesia's Democratic Transition: Playing by the Rules." Comparative Politics, 2001.
MacIntyre, Andrew. "Indonesia’s New Order: The Dynamics of Socio-economic Transformation." Allen & Unwin, 1990.
Slater, Dan. "Ordering Power: Contentious Politics and Authoritarian Leviathans in Southeast Asia." Cambridge University Press, 2010.