Indonesia is one of the few democratic countries in Asia. Its political reforms in the wake of decades of authoritarian rule have brought about a decentralization of power and limits to presidential authority. However, the country remains deeply troubled by corruption, poverty and clustering of capital in society’s elite. Radical sectarian elements, and opportunistic factions in the old ruling elite, continue to exploit social unrest.
The elections that took place in April were a major test of the country’s democracy. Although the incumbent president Joko Widodo (known as Jokowi) is likely to win a second term, there are concerns that the election will be marred by allegations of fraud and other irregularities. Voters appear to have given a higher priority to good governance than the ethnic or religious identity of a candidate.
A more troubling development is the rise of Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander with a dark past. He is widely seen as having the potential to unseat Jokowi, and he has vowed to tackle corruption, reduce inequality and improve human rights protections. Those with hopes for democracy in indonesia will be watching carefully to see whether he can govern effectively, and how he will deal with issues such as pervasive corruption and the ethnic conflict in West Papua.
Elections in indonesia are a complex process. While the country has a legal framework and electoral management bodies that are broadly viewed as being largely democratic, the party system remains fragmented. This year, a record number of independent candidates ran for parliament, and in some cases won seats. The electoral commission has struggled to ensure that all parties comply with election law.
As in other democracies, Indonesia’s largest legislative party tends to gain more power than smaller ones. This means that electoral politics is primarily about controlling the presidency, not winning a majority of seats in the legislature. Jokowi has taken advantage of this dynamic by cracking down on any challenge to his authority, using the courts to do so in a way that many observers find questionable.
Indonesia’s judiciary has improved, but problems remain. The country continues to grapple with a high level of corruption, and due process is often constrained by vaguely worded laws that restrict personal freedoms. Academics who organize public discussions on Papua, for example, have been subject to intimidation and even treason charges. The government also maintains a strong monopoly over university policy, and some professors fear that the Education Ministry could impose restrictions on research deemed incompatible with the national philosophical ideology, Pancasila. This is a serious concern, particularly as the country has an increasingly young population. Many of these youths are active on social media and may be influenced by rumours, propaganda and misinformation. The quality of Indonesia’s journalism is also a concern, as the country struggles to develop a professional and reliable media industry. In some cases, news outlets are censored or silenced by the government. This has become a particular issue for journalists who investigate human rights abuses and other controversial issues.