Indonesia at 50: Islam, Nationalism (and Democracy?)

Summary

Introduction

In 1995, Indonesians celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic's proclamation of independence with deserved pride in the nation's accompishments. The year-long festivities marking Indonesia's golden anniversary included numerous commemorations of the nation's growth and stability, and solemn remembrances of the sacrifices of its revolutionary freedom fighters. None the less, the celebrations masked the profound concerns of Indonesia's political and intellectual élite who are increasingly fragmented and divided over key issues affecting the nation as they position themselves for the much anticipated post-Soeharto era.

Yet Indonesians do have much to celebrate. The country's economic achievements and successful social programmes have been internationally recognized and praised. The widely circulated World Bank report, The East Asian Miracle, pointedly identified Indonesia as one of East Asia's (and the world's) consistently “high-performing economies”. President Soeharto has received prestigious awards from United Nations agencies citing Indonesia's success in food self- sufficiency and population control. Indonesia's economic “miracle” has become well known and it is increasingly seen as a rapidly industrializing nation, eager to participate in the global economic community. Its per capita gross national product (GNP) has grown exponentially, from a mere US$60 in 1967 to approximately US$900 in 1995. The praise has been so fulsome, however, that it has obscured recognition of some shortcomings in Indonesia's economic growth, particularly in terms of the gap between those who have most benefited from development and the vast majority of the population which remains quite poor. None the less, poverty has been reduced and the quality of life for most Indonesians has measurably improved.

Most of the credit for Indonesia's economic and social policy successes must go to the New Order government of President Soeharto which has ruled for nearly thirty years. In part, Indonesians in 1995 celebrated and acknowledged the New Order's success as well as fifty years of national independence. Indo- nesia's economic growth and general improvements in most social and quality of life indicators date from the replacement of the “Old Order” of President Soekarno with the “New Order” development-oriented government of General, later President, Soeharto.