Challenges to Democratic Governance in Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia began its protracted transition to democracy in May 1998 when the thirty-two year reign of General Suharto came to an abrupt end amidst violent demonstrations on the streets of Jakarta. Suharto transferred power to a civilian, B.J. Habibie, who proceeded to lift the existing ban on the number of political parties and announced that general elections would be held within a year. This led to an impressive mushrooming of political parties, from three to one hundred and forty-eight within a matter of a few months. The euphoria in the country was hard to mask as once-banned publications resurfaced while various associations and organizations found new voices in the public arena. The general elections held a year later was seen by many as a culmination of Indonesia's political transition. There were pronouncements of hope from Indonesian and foreign observers alike that the country was finally on its way to setting up a democratic political system.