Fragile Nation, A: The Indonesian CrisisIn May 1998, President Suharto stepped down as President of Indonesia.With his fall, the third largest country in Asia has plunged into anarchy and political, economic and social strife. Racial and religious clashes, culminating in riots, burning and chaos, have become the order of the day. Fissures in the social fabric are widening and there is a real danger that this multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country may disintegrate, just like Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.Indonesia today is a fragile nation, a country in crisis. It is breaking apart because just as Sukarno had failed in his interplay of strength between Communism and the armed forces, Suharto failed to keep the balance of power between the armed forces and Islam. Moreover, the Indonesian people, by and large, have lost the spirit of tolerance, symbolised in the Indonesian state crest, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Without this spirit, so vital to a multi-religious and plural society, Indonesia is becoming economically ravaged, spiritually plundered, politically distraught, and socially incoherent.The author served as Singapore's Ambassador to Indonesia from 1970 to 1974. His interest in Indonesia began many years ago from 1955, when he had gone to Bandung to cover the Afro-Asian conference as a journalist. As Ambassador, he had the opportunity to travel widely across the country and observe the Indonesians at close quarters. Today, his friends range from President Suharto, Indonesia's military leaders, governors, mayors, to ordinary citizens, journalists, musicians and artists.In this book, he portrays the Indonesian people, their history and their cultural traditions. He provides insightful analyses and perspectives of the political collapse of Suharto and describes the danger facing the country. Describing the diversity in the history, traditions, customs and cultures of the various ethnic groups, he understands Indonesia like no other. Bringing the outsider's clarity of perception and the journalist-diplomat's experience of tradition and history, Lee Khoon Choy speaks with authority and credibility, passion and sensitivity about the challenges facing a vast, heterogeneous country that comprises 336 ethnic groups speaking 250 dialects. |
Contents
1 | |
12 | |
2 THE JAVANESE No Temper No Emotion | 41 |
3 THE SUNDANESE Pioneers of Islam in Java | 148 |
4 THE BADUIS The Isolationists | 167 |
5 THE TENGGERESE The Staunch Hindu Devotees | 181 |
6 THE MADURESE The Eternal Fire | 187 |
7 THE BALINESE Face Death with a Smile | 195 |
12 THE ACEHNESE The Eastern Gateway to Mecca | 281 |
13 THE ORANG MELAYU THE MALAYS Phoenicians of the East | 297 |
14 THE BUGIS AND MAKASSARESE Cape of the Infamous Ones | 310 |
15 THE TORAJANS Land of the Kings | 329 |
16 THE AMBONESE The Black Dutch | 348 |
17 THE BANDANESE Victims of Nutmeg Massacre | 365 |
18 THE IRIANESE DHANIS AND BIAKS Living in the Stone Age | 375 |
19 THE DAYAKS The Headhunters | 393 |
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Common terms and phrases
abangan Abri Aceh Acehnese Alwi Ambon Ambonese ancestors Baduis Bali Balinese Banda Bandanese Bandung barong Batak became believe Biak Buddhist Bugis bull called cave Central Java centre century ceremony Cheng Christians Cirebon colonial Communist culture dalang dance Dayaks Dhanis Diponegoro dukun Dutch East Java East Timor ethnic Chinese fight forces Gajah Mada gamelan Gunung Habibie Hindu houses independence Indonesia Irian Jaya Irianese Islamic island Jakarta Javanese Jogjakarta Joyoboyo Kalimantan kebatinan killed King kingdom kraton kris Lake Toba Lara Kidul leaders legend live Mada's Madura Madurese magic Majapahit Makassar Makassarese Malay means meditation military Minangkabau Minister mosque mountains Muslim mystical organisation Palembang Pancasila Pandawas political population Portuguese President Suharto pu'un puppets religion Riau rice riots Semar Singapore soldiers soul spirit stone Suharto Sukarno Sulawesi Sultan Sumatra Sundanese temple Tenggerese Timorese took Torajans traditional Tunggal village visited wayang West Java