Prayer Alert (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Indonesia

Description: FYI #34, 2005-9-20 Praying for SEA

INDONESIA

(Republic of Indonesia)

20 September 2005

Government type: republic

17 Aug 1945 (independence proclaimed);

27 Dec 1949 (Netherlands recognises Indonesian independence)

 

Chief of State & Head of Government: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (since 20 October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla (since 20 October 2004)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

Statistics

Population: 225.3 millions [UN, 2005]

Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% [R1]

 

Religions (estimated):

Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)

 

Three years after the deadly suicide bombing that resulted in more than 200 deaths, the resort island of Bali experienced second bomb blasts on October 1st which killed at least 26 people and wounded 122 [New Straits Times, Oct 3 2005].  Coupling with 126.6% fuel price hike with the intention to bring down government budget deficit, some analysts feared that Indonesia would suffer greater social unrest and short-term high inflation.

 

Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation, with more than 300 ethnic groups, has been experiencing a series of socio-political upheaval and ongoing economic crisis for decades.  Despite the national motto ‘Unity in Diversity,’ ethnic rights and religious tolerance continue to underlie much of the issues of political power and economic justice in this world’s largest Muslim nation. The ongoing Christian-Muslim conflict, though sporadic, in Ambon Island and central Sulawesi is said to be the result of government policies of ethnic migration and provocation.  Ethnic animosity had caused the anti-Chinese riots in Jakarta and Solo in 1998 and the massacres of Madurese immigrants in Borneo in 1997 and 2001.

 

Political and human rights development

In 1945, Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it took four years of negotiations, hostilities, and heavy international pressure before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony. Sukarno who helped the country win its independence was the first President of Indonesia.  He was however forced from power by one of his generals, Suharto, who formally became President in March 1967. In 1998, faltering economy and massive popular demonstration led to his resignation and the collapse of his New Order regime.

 

The first democratic election on June 7, 1999 was a landmark for the country after more than three decades of Suharto’s authoritarian rule. The presidential election held in October brought Abdurrahman Wahid to the presidency. Wahid, who then suffered several strokes, soon proved to be unable to carry out his role as President. He was also accused of tolerating corruption in the administration and was unceremoniously impeached in July 2001 by the parties in the legislature. Megawati Sukarnoputri was installed as the new President in due course. Yet the lack of political will and pervasive corruption inhibited progress in key areas of reform including the judicial system. The year 2004 saw the largest one-day election in the world. Indonesia's first direct presidential election was held and was won by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He was sworn into office on 20 October 2004, together with Jusuf Kalla as Vice President. The new President has since been placed on high expectation to fix the problems of the nation, such as the rising Islamic militancy, prevailing poverty and widespread corruption. 

 

Indonesia has been rated as the 10th most corrupt country in the world [R8]. The epidemic of corruption penetrates every level of the society from town councils to the national cabinet. Some analysts see the country’s defective law institutions as one of the key factors. “Members of the parliament and the Supreme Court freely admit that their colleagues demand bribes to discharge their normal duties” [The Economist, Dec 11 2004]. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) set up by the government in response to public outcry has been slow and ineffective in investigating corruption cases due to lack of resources and personnel and the absence of political will in particular. The Constitution Court has recently ruled that KPK “has no retroactive authority to deal with past cases that took place before the commission’s establishment” [Star Online, Mar 6 2005].  All these indicate a serious setback in government effort. The ministers have so far not acted upon the President’s declaration to combat graft. Public confidence in political system is further undermined.

 

Being the single largest Muslim nation, Indonesia does not have an official religion, although belief in God is enshrined in the constitution. Despite the country’s moderate heritage and secular political system, Indonesia remains under threat from Islamist radicals. The government has tried and sentenced Jemaah Islamiyah members for widespread bombings in 2000 and 2002 bombing in Bali. It, however, continues to downplay the extent of the terrorist networks. The other terrorist threats include the bomb attacks at the Marriott hotel in Jakarta (Aug 5 2003), the Australia embassy (Sept 9 2004), and most recently again on the island of Bali (Oct 1 2005). The disbanded Laskar Jihad, responsible for massacres of Christians in the eastern areas, was reported to be regrouping in Papua and Ceram [The Weekly Standard, April 5, 2004].

 

President Susilo has lately sought to allay the concerns of creeping fundamentalism. The government also announces that it will revise the controversial 1969 decree that poses hurdle to Christians in building places of worship.  Yet, islamisation is a reality. The influential Council of Ulama has, in July, issued religious edicts banning mixed marriages, religious pluralism, interfaith prayers and Islamic interpretation based on liberalism and secularism. The Council fears the erosion of Islamic values and proselytising by Christians.  A series of attacks has forced the closure of Christian churches. Some house churches in West Java were recently closed by some hard-line Muslims. At least seven districts in Indonesia already have enforced some kind of Syariah law.  The public canning of petty gamblers and two unmarried couple for alcohol consumption in Aceh [The Jakarta Post, Sept 22 2005] further dampens Indonesia’s moderate reputation and sends a negative message to its legal system.

 

The gross human rights violation in Aceh caused by the bloody 29-year war between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) improved greatly with a historical peace accord signed on August 15 in Helsinki [AFP, Aug 16 2005]. More than 1,400 Acehnese prisoners were subsequently released. While GAM began to surrender their weapons, Indonesian military started its Aceh pullout. Yet, the government’s human rights record remains poor in many areas. Human Right Watch, in its 2005 World Report, observes the significant barriers to rule of law and humans rights such as the resurgent power of the military in social and political affairs, ongoing impunity of security forces, and repression in Papua where indigenous people are predominantly rural and Christian. There are also disturbing signs of intimidation of the press and criminalisation of the dissent.  The government is also reported to have ignored the widespread physical and sexual abuse of young girls who are working as helpers in homes [Reuters, Jun 21 2005]. Forced child labour remains a serious problem. 

 

Out of 177 countries, Indonesia is ranked 110th in the 2005 Human Development Report. 52% of the population are living below US$2 per day [R5]. The Islamic Aceh and the tribal and Christian Papua remain poor despite a wealth of natural resources.  Meanwhile, the Indonesians are not spared from natural disasters.  A powerful undersea quake in December 2004 sent massive waves to coastal areas of Sumatra and left more than 220,000 Indonesians dead or missing.

 

Suggested prayer items:

1.       For President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla: to rule the nation with wisdom, strength and righteousness.

2.       For a just and transparent government and judiciary, honesty and integrity among the ruling officials.

3.       For an effective legal and social frameworks to break culture of corruption and ethnic/religious conflicts.

4.       Restoration and healing in Aceh, Papua, Ambon, Sulawesi, and areas where violence reigns or had previously reigned.  Pray that both Christians and Muslims will learn to live in peace.

5.       For unity of churches and steadfastness of Christians despite opposition and persecution.

6.       For religious freedom. That Christians will have the freedom to share their faith without fear of intimidation.

7.       Against Islamic radicalism. That those pushing for a stricter Islamic state will fail and that Indonesia will truly be free for those of all religions.

 

Reference:

1.       CIA Factbook, July 2005.

2.       Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005

3.       International Religious Freedom Report September 2004

4.       www.encyclopedia.com/html/section/indonesi_history.asp

5.       http://www.prb.org/pdf05/05WorldDataSheet_Eng.pdf

6.       National Human Development Report 2004-Indonesia

7.       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia

8.       Corruption Perceptions Index 2004

9.       http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/50401.htm

 



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