Chapter 4 - The Search for Legitimacy and Democracy

Summary

Indonesia saw the emergence of new political parties after the fall of Soeharto. However, the old as well as the new parties could only hastily prepare for the 1999 general election in a new political situation. The military grip was loosened while new freedom was won. The government succeeded in preparing various laws to conduct a free and relatively fair election — the first democratic election after Soeharto's thirty-two-year authoritarian rule.

New Political Parties: Old Wine in New Bottle?

During the Soeharto regime, political activities were restricted. The number of political parties had been confined to three and they had to be approved by the government. After the fall of Soeharto, the restrictions (except on the PKI, Partai Komunis Indonesia, or Indonesian Communist Party) were removed and people began to enjoy political freedom which they had been deprived of for more than thirty years. Responding to this newly found freedom, people started to organize themselves and form political parties. It was reported that 145 parties (aside from the three New Order parties) were formed or revived soon after Soeharto's fall.

These parties ranged from major parties such as Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) and Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) to obscure parties such as the Women's Party (Partai Perempuan), Youth Progressive Party (Partai Remaja dan Pemuda Progressive), Drivers Party (Partai Reformasi Sopir Sejahtera Indonesia), Peasants and Fishermen Party (Partai Kemakmuran Tani dan Nelayan), and Poor People's Alliance Party (Partai Aliansi Rakyat Miskin Indonesia).