A Country in Despair: Indonesia Between 1997 and 2000 (Verhandelingen Van Het Koninklijk Instituut Voor Taal-, Land)

https://brill.com/view/title/23074 In late 1997 Indonesia's economy went into a tail-spin, culminating in social and political upheavals that saw Soeharto's resignation in May 1998, and resulting in a succession of presidents as Indonesia entered a period of democratization. These events are well known, even to casual observers, but Kees van Dijk has penned a magnificent account of Indonesia between 1997 and 2000 that fleshes out the story in rich detail and analysis. The volume itself closes as the soon to be ousted President Abdurrahman Wahid is facing two major corruption, collusion, and nepotism (korupsi, kolusi, and nepotisme or KKN) scandals and the political forces are arraying against him. The author has clearly sifted through a mountain of materials, principally Indonesian language newspaper sources, to bring about an excellent chronicle. At 621 pages, this is quite a large book--and one can only marvel at the way in which a vast array of sources have been combined. Despite its size and detail it is a thoroughly absorbing read--especially if one is already familiar with the events and characters that set the stage for a political and social transformation. The main substantive chapters of the book are supplemented by a large number of helpful appendices (showing political parties, cabinet line-ups, military leaders, a glossary, and so on). When Soeharto Was Forced To Resign As President Of Indonesia, The Economy Was In Ruins, And The Country Had To Make The Transformation To A Democracy. Steps Were Taken To Deprive The Army Of Its Strong Political Hold. The Establishment Of New Political Parties Was Permitted. Censorship Was Abolished. Political Islam Began To Make Itself Heard. Nevertheless, The Reform Era Which Started In May 1998 Did Not Bring The 'complete Reform' Demanded By Student Protestors. The Burdens Inherited From The Soeharto Era Proved Heavy, And Animosities Between Various Ethnic And Religious Groups, Even Within The Islamic Community, Continued To Characterize Political And Social Life. Violent Political Confrontations And Mass Protests Continued. Communal Violence Took On Unprecedented Forms. This Book Traces Recent Developments In Indonesia, Opening With The Explosion Of Violence In The Run-up To The General Election Of May 1997, And Ending With Developments In November And December 2000. This Was A Time When, To Escape Imprisonment, Soeharto's Son Tommy Went Missing And Indonesia Entered A New Phase Of Political Insecurity As Support For Its President, Abdurrahman Wahid, Waned.--book Jacket. I. Towards The Election Of May 1997 -- Ii. Violent Campaigns -- Iii. Towards An Economic And Political Crisis, 1997 -- Iv. The Economic Crisis -- V. Towards An Economic And Political Crisis, January-march 1998 -- Vi. The General Session Of The People's Congress -- Vii. Mounting Tension -- Viii. Soeharto's Resignation -- Ix. Skeletons In The Cupboard -- X. Investigating Recent Sins -- Xi. Kkn -- Xii. Soeharto's Wealth -- Xiii. Searching For A New Political System -- Xiv. Political Strife -- Xv. Mysterious Killings -- Xvi. Communal Violence -- Xvii. Struggling Along -- Xviii. Between Hope And Despair -- Xix. The First Months Of The Abdurrahman Wahid Administration -- Xx. Abdurrhman Wahid Loses Support -- App. A. Main Parties And Organizations -- App. B. Indonesian Cabinets Between 1993 And 2000 -- App. C. Military Officers Holding Key Positions In The Cabinet Since The 1980s -- App. D. Some Key Military Functions Since The 1980 -- App. E. Governors, Military Commanders And Chiefs Of Police Of Jakarta, 1996-2000 -- App. F. List Of Suspects In The Violence In East Timor In 1999 Named By The Office Of The Attorney-general. Kees Van Dijk. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [581]-590) And Indexes. This book traces recent developments in Indonesia, opening with the explosion of violence preceding the general election of May 1997, and ending with developments in November and December 2000.