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New normalcy in divided Indonesia
By Tuanku Muhammad Radiyan S. Narukaya
Transition to a more democratic form of
governance is not always an easy thing to do, especially when will have already made a decision on whether or not
you have a long history of authoritarianism, human rights
Jokowi-Kalla is reaffirmed to be the winner. But for
abuses as well as warmongering party elites looming in the
horizon.
Yet that is the path Indonesia was quite prepared to take as
was clearly portrayed in the 2014 Presidential Election, the
third direct presidential election in the history of the nation
after 2004 and 2009. In the days and weeks leading up to the
election and its immediate aftermath, there was some
speculation about how communal violence and sectarian
conflict might once again repeat themselves.
Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his running
mate, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla emerged victorious
as the next President and Vice President, defeating army
strongman Prabowo Subianto and influential ex-Coordinating
Economic minister Hatta Rajasa. This was an unprecedented
development in the 16 years since Indonesia underwent the
Reformasi or “reform” back in 1998 which overthrew the 32year rule of Soeharto. For a nation still adapting to the steep
curve of democratic transition, perhaps it is not surprising
that Prabowo has voiced his objection to the result’s outcome.
Bringing the case to the Constitutional Court and citing
voting irregularities and systematic rigging.
Yet, this is where the new normality steps in. International
observers, and governments of the
world are quite happy that this was
one election that did cause huge
eruption of violence in the society.
Children in
Indonesia
Rural
all intents and purposes, Indonesians have come to
accept that this is the pair that will lead the 250million people nation for the next five years. Their
task, of course, will be made harder due to pressing
demands from other
governments, more so
since Indonesia through
ASEAN
has
been
increasingly involved in
the state of affairs of the
region. Among the issues
addressed; the Chinese
presence in Southeast
Asia, Indonesia’s deeply
entrenched corruption problem, etc. These are among
many other issues that will need to be discussed