Indonesia in the 1990s : more than meets the eye

Abstract

Indonesia, the fourth largest country in the world and a leader in Southeast Asia, is still largely unknown to most Americans. Yet, as a key player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum Indonesia has had a central and positive role in the promotion of American economic objectives in Asia and is influential in other areas of the U.S. foreign policy agenda. The country, which cast off Dutch colonial rule 50 years ago this month, is now anticipating another transition, the passing of power from its long-time President Suharto to an as-yet-unknown successor. When and how this occurs will have implications for other sensitive issues in the country, among them ethnic Chinese business activity, which many indigenous Indonesians resent; the rising role of Islam in politics; and the battle to influence economic policy. Though politically stable for decades, the country has an intricate web of politics, economics, and religion that has never been tested by a presidential succession. As a regional power facing change, Indonesia demands attention.