Asia Micro Analysis - Indonesian Democracy Under Threat?- Week # 84, Dated 6th-12th sept, 2009

Is the Indonesian democracy under threat?

The election that took place in Indonesia on July 8 is being lauded as a remarkable political experiment unfolding in the world's fourth most populous nation. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was picked for a second term by roughly 60% of the voting populace, according to unofficial results, outpacing rivals Megawati Sukarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla, who garnered around 27% and 13% respectively.[1] The race is on to build alliances for the September 20 run-off.[2]

About a decade ago, Indonesians joined together in a people-power overthrow of dictator Suharto, who had ruled for 32 years. Since then, the country has had four Presidents, with peaceful transitions of power between each leader. A vastly diverse nation, skeptics concede that compared to countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, where democratic institutions are stagnating if not backsliding, Indonesia has cemented its status as Southeast Asia's political role model.

However a new debate has started to brew on this political front where experts have raised fears regarding the functional integrity of a democratic parliament where opposition has effectively been co-opted with the ruling faction. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been trying to gain parliamentary support from all parties, especially the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), by tempting them with ministerial posts, Bonni Hargens, a political expert from the University of Indonesia opined.[3]

Over the last five years, the PDI-P has positioned itself as an opposition party in the parliament. However, the Democratic Party, established by Yudhoyono, recently supported Taufik Kiemas’ candidacy — the husband of Megawati Soekarnoputri, patron of the Democratic Party — for the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker post, a move expected to sway the opposition’s stance. In such an event the composition of parliament may garner a monopolistic element.

Debate regarding the efficacy of such a situation has gained vigor; where many fear the possible slippery slope that may undermine Indonesia's democratic credentials others seem to consider it as an unlikely eventuality.

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Discussion Questions:

· In your opinion how grave is the political situation in Indonesia, in light of the prophesized threat against democracy in the absence of effective opposition?

· Do the political parties seem to be on a convergent path in terms of political stance?

· Is it too early to laud Indonesia as a democratic success story?

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[1] http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1909198,00.html
[2] http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=2859&l=1
[3] http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/09/11/indonesian-democracy-under-threat-experts.html

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