Informed Questions on Indonesian Political Matters

摘要

Since the establishment of democratic rule in 1999, Indonesia has experienced a continuing series of domestic power struggles, ongoing separatist tensions and increasing fundamentalist Muslim unrest in widely separate regions of the populous archipelago nation. The combination of deep economic problems, increasingly violent secessionist strains and continuing political instability - leftovers of a legacy of forty years of authoritarian rule have been dangerously compounded by the rapid growth of Islamic fundamentalism and the spread of the influence of Islamic-based terrorist groups such as Usama bin- Ladin's al-Qaeda organization. The deep-seated economic and socio-political problems facing Indonesia make continued stable, democratic rule an elusive goal for Indonesia's new leaders, who must on one hand placate growing radical constituencies, while still pursuing democratic reforms and strong economic growth necessary to fuel progress and stability. With the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is experiencing a rapid increase in domestic public support for the more fundamentalist sects of Islam, some of which are vocally anti-American. As a result, Indonesian acceptance of 'anti-terrorist' assistance from the U.S. has become politically problematic for newly elected President Megawati Sukarnoputri. While the pro-western Megawati has on occasion faced-down anti-U.S. protestors in the streets, she remains politically dependent on, and vulnerable to, the Islamic parties in the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat-MPR- (parliament) which sustain her rule.