40 th world annual conference international association of political consultants (iapc)...

4040thth World Annual Conference World Annual Conference

International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC)International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC)

Denpasar-Indonesia, November 13Denpasar-Indonesia, November 13thth 2007 2007

Ginandjar KartasasmitaGinandjar KartasasmitaChairman, House of Regional Representatives Chairman, House of Regional Representatives

of the Republic of Indonesiaof the Republic of Indonesia

Democracy:Democracy:the Indonesian the Indonesian

ExperienceExperience

IAPC Conference 2007IAPC Conference 2007 www.ginandjar.comwww.ginandjar.com 22

Indonesia is emerging from long Indonesia is emerging from long period of authoritarian rule to period of authoritarian rule to consolidate its status as one of consolidate its status as one of the world’s largest democratic the world’s largest democratic country.country.

Although Indonesia has not been on Although Indonesia has not been on “the road to democracy,” for long, “the road to democracy,” for long, there is much that has been there is much that has been achieved for which many citizens achieved for which many citizens may be proud. may be proud.

Introduction


Democracy has already rooted and Democracy has already rooted and become “the only game in town”, become “the only game in town”, although it still faces various although it still faces various challenges and yet to prove to be the challenges and yet to prove to be the best—if not the only—way to creating best—if not the only—way to creating the conditions for sustainable the conditions for sustainable development and enhancement of development and enhancement of people’s welfare.people’s welfare.

This presentation is an attempt to This presentation is an attempt to highlight salient aspects of, and draw highlight salient aspects of, and draw some lessons, from Indonesia’s some lessons, from Indonesia’s experience in democracy.experience in democracy.

Introduction . . .


The Indonesian Archipelago The Indonesian Archipelago

• a country of 220 million (as of 2005), • an archipelago strung 5000 kilometers along the equator. • more than 13,000 islands, 5,000 are inhabited. • more than 200 ethnic groups and 350 languages and dialects. • 85 to 90% are Muslims.


Regime Change in IndonesiaRegime Change in Indonesia

May 1998-October 1999May 1998-October 1999 Accountability Speech Accountability Speech RejectedRejected

Declined to run for Declined to run for PresidentPresident

May 1998-October 1999May 1998-October 1999 Accountability Speech Accountability Speech RejectedRejected

Declined to run for Declined to run for PresidentPresident

August 1945 - August 1945 - March 1968March 1968

Elected by the Elected by the PPKIPPKI

Impeached by MPRSImpeached by MPRS

August 1945 - August 1945 - March 1968March 1968

Elected by the Elected by the PPKIPPKI

Impeached by MPRSImpeached by MPRS

October 1999 – October 1999 – July 2001July 2001

Elected by MPRElected by MPR Impeached by MPRImpeached by MPR

October 1999 – October 1999 – July 2001July 2001

Elected by MPRElected by MPR Impeached by MPRImpeached by MPR

SukarnoSukarnoSukarnoSukarno

B.J. HabibieB.J. HabibieB.J. HabibieB.J. HabibieAbdurrahman WahidAbdurrahman WahidAbdurrahman WahidAbdurrahman Wahid

October 2004 – October 2004 – 20092009

Directly electedDirectly elected

October 2004 – October 2004 – 20092009

Directly electedDirectly elected

Susilo Bambang Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoYudhoyono

Susilo Bambang Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoYudhoyono July 2001 – October July 2001 – October

20042004 Elected by MPR Elected by MPR Lost election to SBYLost election to SBY

July 2001 – October July 2001 – October 20042004

Elected by MPR Elected by MPR Lost election to SBYLost election to SBY

MegawatiMegawatiMegawatiMegawati

March 1968 - May March 1968 - May 19981998

Elected by MPRSElected by MPRS Resigned under Resigned under pressurepressure

March 1968 - May March 1968 - May 19981998

Elected by MPRSElected by MPRS Resigned under Resigned under pressurepressure

SuhartoSuhartoSuhartoSuharto


Development TrilogyDevelopment Trilogy

Stability

Growth Equity


Political stabilityPolitical stability The military, the bureaucracy and Golkar The military, the bureaucracy and Golkar

(the government party) constituted the (the government party) constituted the political pillars of the New Order.political pillars of the New Order.

Two other political parties were allowed Two other political parties were allowed to exist, but were politically to exist, but were politically constrained.constrained.

The floating mass concept (depolitization The floating mass concept (depolitization of the masses) constituted an important of the masses) constituted an important aspect of the political strategy to aspect of the political strategy to sustain long-term political stability. sustain long-term political stability.

The political system had produced the The political system had produced the intended result: political stability that intended result: political stability that had endured for three decades, sustaining had endured for three decades, sustaining economic growth which in turn further economic growth which in turn further reinforced its claim to legitimacy.reinforced its claim to legitimacy.


Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development With political stability assured, the

Soeharto Government earnestly embarked on economic development, which was widely considered as successful using various standard of measurements.

It all ended with the 1997 financial It all ended with the 1997 financial crisis. The economy crumbled under crisis. The economy crumbled under the weight of the crisis, followed by the weight of the crisis, followed by popular movement against the Soeharto popular movement against the Soeharto regime.regime.


Huntington maintains that a social scientist who Huntington maintains that a social scientist who wished to predict future democratization “would wished to predict future democratization “would have done reasonably well if he simply fingered have done reasonably well if he simply fingered the non-democratic countries in the $1,000-$3,000 the non-democratic countries in the $1,000-$3,000 (GNP per capita) transition zone” (1991: 63).(GNP per capita) transition zone” (1991: 63).

Further studies, in particular an extensive Further studies, in particular an extensive quantitative research and analysis done by quantitative research and analysis done by Przeworsky et.al. (2000: 92) has lent support to Przeworsky et.al. (2000: 92) has lent support to Huntington’s threshold argument. Huntington’s threshold argument.

In 1996, the year before the economic crisis In 1996, the year before the economic crisis swept Indonesia, its GNP per capita had reached swept Indonesia, its GNP per capita had reached $1,155. $1,155.

According to Huntington’s theory, at that stage According to Huntington’s theory, at that stage Indonesia had entered the transition zone, which Indonesia had entered the transition zone, which meant that eventually sooner or later political meant that eventually sooner or later political change would happen. change would happen.


Constitutional ReformConstitutional Reform

The democratization process in Indonesia, The democratization process in Indonesia, although triggered by the 1997/1998 although triggered by the 1997/1998 economic crisis, has been undertaken economic crisis, has been undertaken relatively peacefully in conjunction with relatively peacefully in conjunction with the reform of the constitution.the reform of the constitution.

The weaknesses in the constitution The weaknesses in the constitution contributed heavily to the concentration contributed heavily to the concentration and abuse of power, the lack of law and and abuse of power, the lack of law and order, shallow citizen representation, order, shallow citizen representation, opacity of governance, and the high opacity of governance, and the high incidence of human rights abuses.incidence of human rights abuses.


The constitution was written in a very The constitution was written in a very broad and general way. It has only 37 broad and general way. It has only 37 articles and 6 transitory provisions. articles and 6 transitory provisions.

There is strength to the way it was There is strength to the way it was written that makes the constitution written that makes the constitution flexible and easily adaptable. flexible and easily adaptable.

The weakness is that it is so broad, The weakness is that it is so broad, general and flexible, that it can be—and general and flexible, that it can be—and has been—interpreted in different ways.has been—interpreted in different ways.

It gives a lot of room to the incumbent It gives a lot of room to the incumbent president to maneuver and concentrate president to maneuver and concentrate power in his or her hands, as history has power in his or her hands, as history has shown with Indonesia’s first and second shown with Indonesia’s first and second presidents.presidents.

Constitutional reform . . .Constitutional reform . . .


The amendment processThe amendment process

The First Amendment 1999The First Amendment 1999 The Second Amendment 2000The Second Amendment 2000 The Third Amendment 2001The Third Amendment 2001 The Fourth Amendment 2002The Fourth Amendment 2002


A term limit of two consecutive A term limit of two consecutive five-year terms. five-year terms.

Returned the power of legislation Returned the power of legislation to parliament.to parliament.

Decentralization and regional Decentralization and regional autonomy. autonomy.

The separation of the police from The separation of the police from the military. the military.

A new section on human rights was A new section on human rights was constituted that incorporated constituted that incorporated statements from the Universal statements from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Declaration of Human Rights.


Provides for direct election by the people of Provides for direct election by the people of the president and the vice president as a the president and the vice president as a ticket. ticket.

To be elected, the candidate will have to get To be elected, the candidate will have to get more than 50% of the popular vote with at least more than 50% of the popular vote with at least 20% of the vote in at least half of all the 20% of the vote in at least half of all the provinces.provinces.

Sets out rules and procedures for the Sets out rules and procedures for the impeachment of the president. impeachment of the president.

The parliament can only propose that the The parliament can only propose that the president be impeached after requesting that president be impeached after requesting that the (the newly established) Constitutional the (the newly established) Constitutional Court examine the charges against the president Court examine the charges against the president and after receiving from the court a finding and after receiving from the court a finding that the president is guilty as charged.that the president is guilty as charged.


Appointments of the members of the Supreme Appointments of the members of the Supreme Court by the president have to be proposed by Court by the president have to be proposed by a newly constituted independent judicial a newly constituted independent judicial commission, and approved by the parliament. commission, and approved by the parliament.

In a major structural change to the In a major structural change to the legislative body, although Indonesia remains legislative body, although Indonesia remains a unitarian state, the third amendment a unitarian state, the third amendment constituted a bicameral system of constituted a bicameral system of representation. representation.

It established the House of Regional It established the House of Regional Representatives Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah-(Dewan Perwakilan Daerah-DPDPD), D), representing each of the provinces representing each of the provinces equally, similar to the US Senate.equally, similar to the US Senate.


Stipulates universal government-Stipulates universal government-sponsored primary education, minimum sponsored primary education, minimum aggregate education spending of 20% aggregate education spending of 20% from the national government and from the national government and regional government’s budget,regional government’s budget,

Incorporates clauses on social Incorporates clauses on social justice and environmental justice and environmental protection. protection.


All political offices are elected All political offices are elected through general elections:through general elections:

President and Vice President; President and Vice President; Member of both house of Member of both house of parliaments, and regional parliaments, and regional councils;councils;

Governors, Bupati (District Governors, Bupati (District Heads), Majors, Village Heads.Heads), Majors, Village Heads.

Strengthening the Political Strengthening the Political InstitutionsInstitutions


All important political appointeesAll important political appointees——eexcept members of the cabinetxcept members of the cabinet——have to have to be confirmed by the parliament; i.e.: be confirmed by the parliament; i.e.:

Chiefs of the Military and Police; Chiefs of the Military and Police; Supreme and Constitutional Court Supreme and Constitutional Court Justices;Justices;

Governor and Deputy Governor of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank.Central Bank.


Members of national commissions such as: Members of national commissions such as:

Anti corruption; Anti corruption; Judicial;Judicial; Elections;Elections; Fair business competition;Fair business competition; Ambassadors from and to Indonesia;Ambassadors from and to Indonesia; Human rights;Human rights;

have to be confirmed by the parliament.have to be confirmed by the parliament.


One of the basic requirements or One of the basic requirements or institutions in a democracy is the institutions in a democracy is the existence of a free and active political existence of a free and active political parties to represent the people in the parties to represent the people in the governance of a nation.governance of a nation.

In 2004 elections, 24 political In 2004 elections, 24 political participated, 17 parties won seats in the participated, 17 parties won seats in the parliament.parliament.

Indonesia is gearing for the next general Indonesia is gearing for the next general election in 2009.election in 2009.

The law for parliamentary elections is The law for parliamentary elections is being deliberated in the parliament.being deliberated in the parliament.

Among the crucial issues are the Among the crucial issues are the redrawing of the voting constituencies redrawing of the voting constituencies and the party threshold in parliament.and the party threshold in parliament.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties


Indonesia's civil society has grown in recent Indonesia's civil society has grown in recent years and has played a role in the political years and has played a role in the political change.change.

However, as a real countervailing force to the However, as a real countervailing force to the state, it is still weak.state, it is still weak.

Not only is it a relatively new concept in Not only is it a relatively new concept in Indonesia's polity, and thus yet to mature, the Indonesia's polity, and thus yet to mature, the quality of the people who are attracted to join quality of the people who are attracted to join it does civil society little good.it does civil society little good.

Only recently has civil society attracted Only recently has civil society attracted better-qualified people from among the better-qualified people from among the graduates of top universities and among the top graduates of top universities and among the top ranks.ranks.

In the past, this class of young people was In the past, this class of young people was more attracted to the bureaucracy, the more attracted to the bureaucracy, the academia, business and even the military.academia, business and even the military.

Civil Society . . .Civil Society . . .


The rise of the middle class . . The rise of the middle class . . .. At that stage the Indonesian middle class political At that stage the Indonesian middle class political

attitude was not necessarily anti-government; in attitude was not necessarily anti-government; in fact until the end of the 1980s the majority of the fact until the end of the 1980s the majority of the middle class who owed their economic advancement to middle class who owed their economic advancement to the government’s development efforts believed in the the government’s development efforts believed in the government’s development creed and strongly favored government’s development creed and strongly favored political stability. political stability.

By the mid-1990s the Indonesian middle class had By the mid-1990s the Indonesian middle class had reached the “critical mass” in number as well as in reached the “critical mass” in number as well as in resources to play a significant role at political resources to play a significant role at political change. And they had increasingly become critical of change. And they had increasingly become critical of the government; their writings, plays and discourses the government; their writings, plays and discourses had provided for intellectual inspiration towards had provided for intellectual inspiration towards democratization. democratization.

They have now become the backbone of Indonesia’s They have now become the backbone of Indonesia’s civil society as well as filling the growing demand civil society as well as filling the growing demand for intellectual professional members of political for intellectual professional members of political parties.parties.


DecentralizationDecentralization

One of the challenges facing Indonesia is One of the challenges facing Indonesia is keeping the country united.keeping the country united.

The threat of separation has always plagued the The threat of separation has always plagued the country since the first days of independence.country since the first days of independence.

One of the main grievance is income and One of the main grievance is income and regional disparity. It is a complex problem and regional disparity. It is a complex problem and would take time and effort to resolve, but at would take time and effort to resolve, but at the heart of the problem was the overly the heart of the problem was the overly centralized government structure and decision centralized government structure and decision making process.making process.

Devolvement of central authority should be the Devolvement of central authority should be the first step toward addressing the problem.first step toward addressing the problem.


The Role of IslamThe Role of Islam The threat to the unity and integrity of the The threat to the unity and integrity of the

country has recently been perceived as not only to country has recently been perceived as not only to come from ethnic or regional separatism but also come from ethnic or regional separatism but also from fundamental and political Islam. Many have from fundamental and political Islam. Many have speculated about the political implication of the speculated about the political implication of the rise of the social standing of Islam in Indonesia. rise of the social standing of Islam in Indonesia.

In actuality, however, Indonesian Islam is embedded In actuality, however, Indonesian Islam is embedded in a culture of tolerance that can be traced back in a culture of tolerance that can be traced back to the history of Islamization of the archipelago.to the history of Islamization of the archipelago.

Islam originally came to Indonesia and religiously Islam originally came to Indonesia and religiously "conquered" the people not through war, but through "conquered" the people not through war, but through trade, marriage and education.trade, marriage and education.

Hence the absorption of Islam by the societies in Hence the absorption of Islam by the societies in this vast archipelago was generally peaceful and this vast archipelago was generally peaceful and involved little coercion.involved little coercion.


The Role of Islam . . .The Role of Islam . . .

In fact, in the propagation of Islam there was a In fact, in the propagation of Islam there was a tendency to adjust the new religion to older tendency to adjust the new religion to older beliefs that resulted in moderate and tolerant—beliefs that resulted in moderate and tolerant—some may say syncretic—attitudes among the some may say syncretic—attitudes among the majority of Indonesian Muslims.majority of Indonesian Muslims.

It is true that fundamentalist Islamic groups, It is true that fundamentalist Islamic groups, some of them militant, do exist in Indonesia, some of them militant, do exist in Indonesia, but they are marginal and have little popular but they are marginal and have little popular support.support.

Despite the recurrence of incidents involving Despite the recurrence of incidents involving some Islamic extremists, for many years, some Islamic extremists, for many years, Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has been well known as population in the world, has been well known as a pluralistic society characterized by religious a pluralistic society characterized by religious moderation and tolerance.moderation and tolerance.


The Role of Islam . . .The Role of Islam . . .

The September 11 act of terrorism against the US The September 11 act of terrorism against the US was almost unanimously condemned by organized was almost unanimously condemned by organized Muslims and by the public in general.Muslims and by the public in general.

Except for a few very vocal fanatics, Indonesia's Except for a few very vocal fanatics, Indonesia's Muslims were outraged by with happened in New Muslims were outraged by with happened in New York.York.

The feeling of outrage against terrorism that had The feeling of outrage against terrorism that had taken the lives of innocent people was heightened taken the lives of innocent people was heightened when Indonesia also became a victim of when Indonesia also became a victim of international terrorism with the bombing in Bali international terrorism with the bombing in Bali on 12 October 2002, the more recent Marriot on 12 October 2002, the more recent Marriot bombing in Jakarta on 5 August 2002, and the bombing in Jakarta on 5 August 2002, and the second Bali Bombing in 2005.second Bali Bombing in 2005.

For many Indonesian Muslims, terrorism had only For many Indonesian Muslims, terrorism had only succeeded in creating the wrong image of Islam succeeded in creating the wrong image of Islam and Islamic values.and Islamic values.


The Role of the MilitaryThe Role of the Military Observers of Indonesia have paid much attention to the Observers of Indonesia have paid much attention to the

role of the military in post-New Order politics and role of the military in post-New Order politics and how the military perceive its role in democracy.how the military perceive its role in democracy.

Events surrounding the fall of Soeharto showed that Events surrounding the fall of Soeharto showed that the military had been supportive of political change. the military had been supportive of political change. Its role was crucial in the peaceful transition from Its role was crucial in the peaceful transition from an authoritarian regime to real democracy.an authoritarian regime to real democracy.

In the political transition period, the military lent In the political transition period, the military lent its political weight to the institutionalization of its political weight to the institutionalization of democracy, that dismantled the old authoritarian democracy, that dismantled the old authoritarian structures and replaced it with a democratic system.structures and replaced it with a democratic system.

The military has shown its commitment to democracy The military has shown its commitment to democracy when it accepted the consensus of the polity that it when it accepted the consensus of the polity that it should no longer take an active role in politics and should no longer take an active role in politics and therefore no longer hold seats in the elective therefore no longer hold seats in the elective political institutions.political institutions.


The Role of the Military . . .The Role of the Military . . .

In the post-Soeharto period, the military had In the post-Soeharto period, the military had been steadfast in refusing to be used as an been steadfast in refusing to be used as an instrument to subvert the constitution and instrument to subvert the constitution and resisted the pressure to reverse to resisted the pressure to reverse to authoritarianism.authoritarianism.

Although many retired senior officers were Although many retired senior officers were against changing the constitution, the serving against changing the constitution, the serving military establishment fully supported the military establishment fully supported the amendments that have become the foundation for amendments that have become the foundation for a stronger and more stable democracy.a stronger and more stable democracy.

Therefore it is safe to say that at present the Therefore it is safe to say that at present the military is not a threat-but an asset to military is not a threat-but an asset to Indonesia's democracy.Indonesia's democracy.


After the dramatic economic, political and After the dramatic economic, political and

social upheavals at the end of the 1990s, social upheavals at the end of the 1990s,

Indonesia has started to regain its footing. Indonesia has started to regain its footing.

The country has largely recovered from the The country has largely recovered from the

economic crisis that threw millions of its economic crisis that threw millions of its

citizens back into poverty in 1998 and saw citizens back into poverty in 1998 and saw

Indonesia regress to low-income status. Indonesia regress to low-income status.

Recently with GNP per capita of Recently with GNP per capita of $1280$1280 (2005), (2005),

it has once again become one of the world's it has once again become one of the world's

emergent middle-income countries. Poverty emergent middle-income countries. Poverty

levels that had increased by over one-third levels that had increased by over one-third

during the crisis are now back to pre-crisis during the crisis are now back to pre-crisis

levels. levels.

Economic Performance


Poverty in Indonesia fell rapidly until the 1990s, and has declined

again since the crisis


Positive Growth TrajectoryPositive Growth Trajectory

Source: CBS .

Economy is on a steady Economy is on a steady upward trend. Indonesia’s upward trend. Indonesia’s performance is very much performance is very much comparable in the region comparable in the region

Over the medium term, this Over the medium term, this acceleration process should acceleration process should continue assuming that all continue assuming that all reform programs are reform programs are implemented. implemented.

The Indonesia’s economy is The Indonesia’s economy is still fragile and sensitive still fragile and sensitive to external shocks to external shocks (financial turbulence, high (financial turbulence, high oil price, etc) oil price, etc)

Sustained economic growth despite difficult environment

2001-2003

4 %

5.25 %

5 - 6 %

> 7%

2004-2005 2006 2007 - 2009 2010 - beyond

6 - 7 %


Does culture matter?Does culture matter? All the discussions on democracy are based on All the discussions on democracy are based on the works of western scholars. Is democracy a the works of western scholars. Is democracy a monopoly of the west? Are there no cultural monopoly of the west? Are there no cultural variants of democracy? On the other hand, is variants of democracy? On the other hand, is culture a legitimate (or genuine) culture a legitimate (or genuine) justification or merely an excuse (or justification or merely an excuse (or apology) for authoritarianism?apology) for authoritarianism?

Indonesia, under both Sukarno and Soeharto Indonesia, under both Sukarno and Soeharto insisted that culture was indeed insisted that culture was indeed the the distinctive variable of any political system, distinctive variable of any political system, and launched concepts for the political and launched concepts for the political systems that would respond best to what they systems that would respond best to what they claimed to be the intrinsic values claimed to be the intrinsic values characterizing Indonesia’s society.characterizing Indonesia’s society.


Lee Kwan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Lee Kwan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, the founding father of the country Singapore, the founding father of the country and its political architect, has been making a and its political architect, has been making a very strong case about the Asian values as an very strong case about the Asian values as an important element in the political system of important element in the political system of the East Asian countries. He believes that the East Asian countries. He believes that adversarial politics is out of place in a adversarial politics is out of place in a multiracial society such as Singapore.multiracial society such as Singapore.

Many scholarly works have been devoted on the Many scholarly works have been devoted on the subject of cultural paradoxes in democracy; subject of cultural paradoxes in democracy; most concluded that indeed culture exerts a most concluded that indeed culture exerts a certain influence on how democracy is adapted certain influence on how democracy is adapted among countries (see Alagappa, 1996; Fukuyama, among countries (see Alagappa, 1996; Fukuyama, 1996; Lipset, 1996; Huntington, 1996: 1996; Lipset, 1996; Huntington, 1996: Inglehart, 2000; Sen, 2001).Inglehart, 2000; Sen, 2001).

Does culture matter? . . .Does culture matter? . . .


In conclusion, much has been achieved, but even In conclusion, much has been achieved, but even more remains to be done. The past few years have more remains to be done. The past few years have been extremely eventful for Indonesia. been extremely eventful for Indonesia.

Following the maelstrom of political, economic Following the maelstrom of political, economic and social crises, economic stability has now and social crises, economic stability has now returned though the economy has not returned to returned though the economy has not returned to the heady levels of the boom years. the heady levels of the boom years.

Most significantly of all, the country is Most significantly of all, the country is charting new political waters with a charting new political waters with a comprehensively amended constitution a process comprehensively amended constitution a process that again marks a dramatic break from the past.that again marks a dramatic break from the past.

To overcome the challenges ahead, whether from To overcome the challenges ahead, whether from political corruption, violent communal strife political corruption, violent communal strife and terrorism in the name of God or external and terrorism in the name of God or external economic shocks, the new tools of government and economic shocks, the new tools of government and democratic governance will face their definitive democratic governance will face their definitive test.test.

ConclusionConclusion


What is significant about Indonesia’s What is significant about Indonesia’s democracy, that it is “homegrown”. democracy, that it is “homegrown”.

Indonesian’s are adapting democratic models Indonesian’s are adapting democratic models and values that are universal in nature, but and values that are universal in nature, but the democratization process in Indonesia had the democratization process in Indonesia had been initiated and carried out by political been initiated and carried out by political forces within the country.forces within the country.

In certain stages of the process such as in In certain stages of the process such as in implementing the general election, Indonesia implementing the general election, Indonesia receives foreign assistance such as in receives foreign assistance such as in observations of the balloting, or the case of observations of the balloting, or the case of Aceh, in foreign facilitation of peace Aceh, in foreign facilitation of peace negotiation. But in the case of Indonesia negotiation. But in the case of Indonesia democracy was not imposed by foreign powers.democracy was not imposed by foreign powers.

Conclusion . . .Conclusion . . .


Indonesia still needs to strengthen its democratic Indonesia still needs to strengthen its democratic foundations and practices, such as greater executive foundations and practices, such as greater executive accountability to the law, to other branches of accountability to the law, to other branches of government, and to the public; a reduction in the government, and to the public; a reduction in the barriers to political participation and mobilization by barriers to political participation and mobilization by marginal groups; decentralization of power to marginal groups; decentralization of power to facilitate broader political access and accountability; facilitate broader political access and accountability; vigorous independent action by civil society; and more vigorous independent action by civil society; and more effective protection for the political and civil rights effective protection for the political and civil rights of citizens. of citizens.

The fledging democracy still faces serious challenges, The fledging democracy still faces serious challenges, such political corruption, the rule of law, as well as such political corruption, the rule of law, as well as accelerating its economic reform and improving its accelerating its economic reform and improving its governance to sustain growth and poverty reduction. governance to sustain growth and poverty reduction. However the course of the country is heading into the However the course of the country is heading into the right direction.right direction.

The Indonesia’s experience, its successes and failures The Indonesia’s experience, its successes and failures maybe worthy of some lessons to other, especially those maybe worthy of some lessons to other, especially those who at the stage of, or entering the same “zone of who at the stage of, or entering the same “zone of transition”.transition”.

Conclusion . . .Conclusion . . .


Thank youThank you

40 th world annual conference international association of political consultants (iapc)...

Documents

political change

political pillars

political strategy

political parties

political system

ginandjar kartasasmitachairman

economic crisis

stage indonesia