Democracy

Political parties have stronger social roots in Indonesia than elsewhere in the region

Indonesians have a love-hate relationship with their political parties

What you see is what you get

Our new edition shows how far Indonesia has come, and how much remains to be done

The events of 27 July have led many to speculate about a more democratic order after the end of Suharto's powerful rule. MICHAEL VAN LANGENBERG warns such speculation may be misplaced.

Students are few in number but loom large on the political stage. The PRD affair demonstrated this once more. In this reflective essay, ARIEL HERYANTO asks why this should be so.

Parliament, Aberson Marle Sihaloho explains to SHARON TICKLE over lunch, can never do a good job under Suharto.

The World Bank has joined the IMF in a huge rescue package. Indonesian non-government organisations (NGOs) presented this memo to World Bank president James Wolfensohn in Jakarta.

Authoritarian Southeast Asian governments have been dealt a blow by market forces, says MICHAEL VATIKIOTIS, but democracy will not flourish until people begin to organise locally.

There are plenty of capable Indonesians who can take over from Suharto, says the activist group PIJAR.

What should democracy activists do in these last days of the New Order? DANIEL LEV offers some pointers.

We, more than one hundred Indonesian and non-Indonesian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) participating in the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid), are deeply concerned about the ongoing economic turmoil in Indonesia which many fear may lead to political turmoil as well.

 In welcoming you to our new version of Inside Indonesia, it’s fitting that we focus on one of the greatest achievements of Indonesia’s democratisation: peace in Aceh.

Last December, candidates affiliated to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM ) swept to power in local government elections in Aceh. They now face great challenges in meeting the high expectations of their supporters and dealing with incipient corruption in their own ranks.

Tribute to a multi-talented, national figure

Reform of the security sector is fundamental for achieving a democratic Indonesia

Irfan Awwas sets out his vision for Islamic law in Indonesia

The successful new party PKS is a moderate alternative to radical Islamism

Is democracy stalled? An in-depth survey suggests hope for the future