Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in the history of Indonesia, the rule of Suharto is only somewhat less violent and repressive than had been true of Sukarno before him. The paper points out that Suharto used the military to crush any opposition to his effort at economic development. The paper also points out that, although it was one of the world's poorest countries in 1967 when Suharto came to power, Indonesia today is considered an economic success story. The paper further notes that the military, which was key to the New Order economic changes brought about by Suharto, remains strong after his death and concludes that, at this time, the balance between civilian and military rule in Indonesia is neither even nor tilted in favor of civilian rule.

From the Paper:

"One element in the conflict in the region is ethnic, directed against a Chinese majority that has been economically successful but not fully assimilated into Indonesian society. In the Sukarno and Suharto periods, the Chinese minority continued its business success but otherwise tried to a great extent to blend in and to go unnoticed. More recently, however, there has been a political re-awakening of the Chinese minority after the heavy hand of President Suharto was removed. In May 1998, there were anti-Chinese riots which made the Chinese see themselves as vulnerable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Asian Human Rights Commission. "A Statement By the Asian Human Rights Commission - AHRC." (24 June 2003). August 14, 2007. http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2003statement/108/.
• Berrigan, Frida. "After the Tsunami: Military Aid For Indonesia?" CommonDreams.org News Center. August 14, 2007. http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0218-32.htm.
• Chew, L.K. "Indonesian Chinese Political Re-awakening." Indonesia Media (May 1999), 32-33.
• Doing business in Indonesia. Jakarta: Price Waterhouse, 1989.
• Frederick, W.H. and Robert L. Worden. Indonesia: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1992.

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