Book Description

After twenty-five years in power, President Suharto and his New Order government confront a crisis of renewal. The regime, which swept to power in the wake of a military putsch in 1965, has brought enduring stability and economic prosperity to the country, but has shown no inclination to pass the reins of power to the next generation. As a result, pressures for political change are building up. This book offers an informed and balanced analysis of Suharto's new order as it approaches a crucial political juncture. Indonesia's remarkable political stability has for the most part kept the country out of the headlines. Quietly, Indonesia has moved into a strong position just behind other fast-growing economies in the region. Employing widely applauded liberal economic reforms and granting more freedom to the private sector, the government has transformed Indonesia's commodity-dependent economy into a nascent regional industrial dynamo. But now, economic success is running up against domestic political uncertainties. The author reassesses the New Order's fiery origins and its military roots, and evaluates the considerable economic progress achieved under Suharto. He also analyses Suharto himself, a man whose low international profile and uncharismatic style have made him one of the least understood and most intriguing long-serving leaders.