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Global Alternative Media Association - GAMA - presents:
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HEAD: Instability and Disorder in Indonesia
AUTHOR: Asian Students' Association - ASA
SOURCE: ASA MOVEMENT News Round-up July 1996
Instability and Disorder in Indonesia
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"ln the worst unrest since the anti-Japanese and anti-regime Malari riots
of January 1974, crowds surged through the downtown streets, hurling
rocks and setting fire to banks, buses and Government office buildings.
Indonesians are angry not simply because the Government has intervened so
blatanty in the affairs of the PDI, ousting Megawati Sukarnoputri as
leader and installing the more malleable Surjadi. They are disenchanted
with the regime in general. "
- Sydney Morning Herald, 30 July 1996
Riots broke out in Indonesia following a military raid on the headquarters
of the Indonesian Democracy Party (PDl) occupied by Megawati Sukarnoputris
supporters who have barricaded themselves within the party headquarters
for over a month when Megawati was ousted as PDI leader by government-
backed "PDI rebels" in June. Nearly 160 opposition supporters are missing
after the weekend anti-governmental rioting that left at least four people
dead, more than 20 people injured and 226 arrested and in police custody.
Megawati Sukarno is the daughter of the late President Sukarno,
ousted by Suharto in 1966. She has become the "symbol of unification" for
the growing opposiiion in Indonesia. Her popularity has led many to
speculate that she and her party may be able to fight it out with Suharto
led Golkar party in the coming general elections in 1997. The Suharto
government - clearly viewing her as a threat - engineered her ouster by
encouraging a section of the PDI to convene an "extraordinary congress" in
Medan North Sumatera to replace Megawati as the leader of PDI. The rival
group was recognised by the government after Suriadi was elected as the
new leader. Surjadi has links with military figures such as ex-defence
minister Benny Murdani and he has the backing of the ABRI (lndonesian
Army).
Popular Frustration
Despite nearly total control over politics and economy - and
virtually the lives of 200 million lndonesians, the Suharto government
could not prevent frustration from seeping into the hearts and minds of
its people. The past three years were witness to huge protests against the
Suharto regime - and they were not only spontaneous protests but organised
protests as well with political agenda and claims.
In 1995, there were about 1,400 cases of workers'strike which took
away three million working hours. Most of these strikes were organised for
economic and political reasons. Also in 1995, Indonesian workers
celebrated their first May Day in the New Order Regime period. The first
six months of 1996 saw one million workers staging strikes. Thousands of
students protested against the Makassar Massacre that killed more than 10
students.
Another development was the establishment of new political parties
other than the three recognised parties. These are the People's Democratic
Party established in April 1996 and the United Indonesian Democratic Party
led by Sri Bintang Pamungkas. Since January 1973, Indonesia has had a
three-party system: the GOLKAR, Development Unity Party - PPP, and the
lndonesian Democracy Party - PDI. (In the 1960's there were about 25
parties in Indonesia.)
Over the years, Indonesians have resented the curtailment of their
freedoms, the depredations of the new rich amongst whom are members of the
first family and the nation's unpopular ethnic Chinese minority.
Suharto has had a direct hand in nurturing this resentment. The
economic growth he has led Indonesia to enjoy has been to the disadvantage
of the majority. As well, lately, he has made grave errors of judgement
over the "national car" and "national aircraft" projects, over the favours
done for crony businessmen, and most especially, over the management of
political and social change.
Indonesian society demands change, however Suharto resists it.
Witch Hunting Season
The riots are now being blamed on "communists". The Indonesian
government had named the PRD (People's Democratic Party) as the group
behind the recent riots. It will be recalled that in 1965, millions of
Indonesians died in an anti-Communist killing frenzy that was unleashed
after the bloody coup attempt in September 1965.
PRD is an ulnbrella group of students, peasants and workers
organisations that was set-up in 1995 to channel pro-democracy demands.
ASA's member organisation - the Students' Solidarity for Democracy in
Indonesia (SSDl) is a member of PRD.
Using the threat of communism to quell dissent against the Suharto
government is "not sophisticated at all". In Indonesia, the military
regularly uses the communist label to repress any dissenting voice against
the government.
[END]