Indonesia 1991: Quest for Democracy in a Turbulent Year

Abstract

Political dynamics in Indonesia during 1991 have shown interesting developments. As the year closed, the hopes that the political system would be more conducive to openness remained unfulfilled. The security apparatus had continued to resort to the use of force in handling social unrest such as the rebellious elements in Aceh and East Timor, though the firm action taken by Soeharto against military elements involved in the 12 November Incident at Dili gave rise to speculation as to whether this would be less so in future. There were protests by workers over wages and working conditions, and a revival of student demonstrations. In the economic field the government demonstrated inconsistencies in its efforts to deregulate the economy, shown, for instance, by the provision of a clove trade monopoly to BPPC (Badan Penyangga Pemasaran Cengkeh, or Clove Stock Manager and Marketing Board). Though the main political issues and events were mostly a continuation of de velopments since the end of the 1980s, 1991 was also marked by some surprises. For example, after a decade of silence, the Petition of 50 group (Petisi 50) returned to the political stage. A new democratic movement also came into being with the formation of Forum Demokrasi (Democratic Forum) by about 45 intellectuals led by Abdurahman Wahid, head of Nahdatul Ulama (NU) ? the country's largest Muslim organization. The most dramatic event of 1991, however, was the incident of 12 November in Dili, East Timor, when the military clashed with civilians. Political events during 1991 show that civil society, through various means, struggled to express itself and to protect its rights against state domination. The approaching general elections in 1992 as well as the presidential election in 1993 have produced political tensions which usually tend to make the security apparatus more nervous as they watch the increasing demands of society.