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Indonesia took a monumental step forward towards a more politically and economically stable society by holding its first ever free elections in September 2004. Indonesia, the fourth largest country in the world, has been plagued for decades by corruption and instability. Analysts see the move towards democracy as an essential part of the developmental process. In one of the smoothest elections the world has seen this year, former security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono defeated current President Megawati Sukarnoputri in a landslide. Sukarnoputri, the daughter of the Indonesia’s first leader, took office three years ago when former President Abdurraham was impeached on grounds of incompetence. Prior to that, General Soeharto had ruled over the country for 32 years among widespread poverty and governmental corruption. He was forced to resign, however, during the depths of the Asian Financial Crisis, which plunged over half of Indonesia’s 400 million plus population into poverty. Going from a pure dictatorship to a democracy in just six years has given Indonesia much to be excited about. During 2003, on the heels of reform that set democracy in motion, the Indonesian stock market was the best performing market in the world. It doubled in just less than twelve months.
“This was another resounding demonstration of the Indonesian people's commitment to democracy,” said the U.S. press secretary. “The direct presidential election system is among several important reforms Indonesia has undertaken to strengthen its democracy since 1999.” Despite Indonesia’s potential, there are many obstacles that Yudhoyono must face. Inflation has remained in the double digits, and debts prior to the 1997 crisis have been magnified due to the drastic depreciation of the currency during that time. Widespread corruption has held back the nation’s development and with the recent tsunami that killed over 100,000 of the nation’s citizens, the rebuilding process will take years. And although he has made promises to fight corruption, Yudhoyono has often times been characterized as being indecisive on important matters. The simple promise of democracy has given Indonesians plenty of hope that they may one day join the list of the great powers of the world. |
