WHAT HAS GONE RIGHT IN INDONESIA OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

Abstract

The article considers Indonesia's democratic advance over the last five years, effectively the first term in office of President Yudhoyono. Focussing on the three threats which seemed most acute in 2004 - Fragmentation, Macroeconomic Instability and Terrorism, the author suggests that the handling of the post-tsunami situation in Aceh was a turning point which will need to be consolidated by decentralisation; that prudence by technocrats and responsibility by the political leadership ensured economic success; and that the terrorist threat was overcome, partly by a political recognition that a real threat existed which had to be faced, and partly by good police work.

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Notes on contributors

Charles Humfrey

Charles Humfrey served in the British Diplomatic Service in Tokyo (three times), New York and Ankara, before becoming ambassador in Seoul (2001–2004) and then Jakarta (2004–2008).