Is Indonesia Progressing Regressing or Somewhat The Same Since Independence

[Daniel50]

It has been about 71 years of Independence and Suharto was in charge for 32 years of this. I know there are multiple indicators for progress but generally do you believe Indonesia is moving in the right direction? Is it progressing, going backwards, going around in circles or other. I know this is a big question.

 

[fastpitch17]

I think Indonesia reached a point where once the Islamist started sticking their noses into the political, while Indonesia takes a step forward in something they take two back in different areas.

 

[Davita]

Seems to me to be one step forward and two back then two forward and one back.
The President is more effective than I originally assumed he would be and has proved to be progressive and stoic. The next couple of weeks should test his will and support from all the players to this treacherous event.

Indonesia has the capacity to be THE big player in ASEAN, and the world, but NOT if riots and treason abound....and the justice system and laws causing discrimination and friction aren't reformed or revoked.

 

[jstar]

I think the democracy is too young to talk about going around in circles. But like any other developing country, the challenges are huge.

The most obvious ones: On corruption, definitely there has been made some major progress the last couple of years. The legal system still needs to major reformation. The improvements on infrastructure are still ongoing and can not be really judged yet. (Although I'm rather pessimistic about MRT\LRT etc.; they will attract people taking ojeks, not the ones with cars.) Many new airport buildings though.

As you know, there were three major movements in society (you can call it pillars) before the Suharto era; nationalism, religion (Islam) and communism. The latter has been wiped out, and now, some time after the dictatorship ended, we 'feel' the negative impact of that. I'm not talking about the desirability of an ultra left movement, but the loss of freedom of press & free speech and the push for a secular state. The other movements have taken its place with attempts to unify (try to find a TV ad for diapers or coffee without "Indonesia" being scanned) and even evolve into a Sharia based state.

I don't think Indonesia will be able to compete with their neighbors the next decades. Textile? Tourism? Manufacturing? All of these are done much better next door. Luckily they still have their natural resources. That is the big thing. But even those are jeopardized by the "we will do the finishing and processing ourselves" approach if they don't implement it well. And just being a large country isn't enough.

 

[Banana72]

It has been about 71 years of Independence and Suharto was in charge for 32 years of this. I know there are multiple indicators for progress but generally do you believe Indonesia is moving in the right direction? Is it progressing, going backwards, going around in circles or other. I know this is a big question.

On the surface, seems like it's progressing. Current president seems clean enough from scandals, quite a few smart and decent people in the government. Immigration, though still have some ways to go, still is better than back when I left Indonesia in the early 90s.

General freedom of speech. It's like you tell a five year old he/she is free to say whatever the heart pleases. Many Indonesians are not ready for that kind of freedom. The technology (Internet, smart phones, freedom of speech, etc) in Indonesia is far to fast compare to the evolution of Indonesian mindset/mentality.

20 years ago, you mention the president's name in vain (or found to insult him), you might earn a free stay at the Cipinang slammer. Everybody learns to voice their opinion, but no consequences. Same with the word 'provokator'. When did this 'provokator' mentality started to come alive? Is it because it's easier to post on facebook, forward hoaxes on phones, etc?

I remember a few years ago, it might be harder to spread rumors since there was a good control on media, phones were expensive, etc. Now It's out of control in my opinion.