Indonesia 1973: A Climate of Concern

Abstract

17he year 1973 was difficult for Indonesia. A poor rice harvest, an inflationary spiral, a coercive government rice procurement program, the perpetuation of clear military predominance, a questionable governmental regard for civil liberties, an anti-Chinese riot, increasing urban unemployment and rural underemployment, and student demonstrations against highlevel official corruption and arbitrary governmental practices iall produced a pervasive climate of apprehension and concern. Indonesia's 'army-administrative-economist governing elite is not entirely responsible for the above situation. Rice crops throughout all -of Southeast Asia were disappointing, part of the inflationary spiral was attributable to Indonesia's dependent position in the world economy, and racial tensions have been a constant factor in Indonesian history for three centuries. Nonetheless, public concern is substantial, receiving expression in rural resentment of rice procurement methods, an anti-Chinese riot in Bandung on August 5, and student demonstrations against a government that was increasingly perceived as rigid and unresponsive.