New Order (Indonesia)

New Order (Indonesia). The New Order was the authoritarian Suharto-led government that ruled Indonesia from 1966 to 1998. It emerged from the political turmoil following the 30 September Movement and was characterized by political stability enforced by the military, rapid economic development, and a strong anti-communist stance. The regime collapsed in 1998 amid the Asian financial crisis and massive pro-democracy protests, leading to the Reformasi period.

Background and rise to power

The New Order's origins are rooted in the political and economic instability of the later years of Guided Democracy under President Sukarno. The pivotal event was the 30 September Movement in 1965, a failed coup attempt blamed on the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). Suharto, then a major general and commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command, took control of the army and led a violent anti-communist purge across Java, Bali, and other islands, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. This period of transition was formalized on 11 March 1966 with the issuance of the Order of 11 March (Supersemar), which transferred authority from Sukarno to Suharto. Suharto was formally appointed acting president by the MPRS in 1967 and full president in 1968, marking the definitive start of his rule.

Political and economic system

Politically, the New Order established a highly centralized and repressive system under the dual function doctrine, which legitimized the military's pervasive role in political and social affairs. The regime created a state political vehicle, Golkar, which dominated all elections, while other parties like the PDI and the PPP were severely restricted. The BAKIN and Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order maintained internal security through surveillance and suppression of dissent. Economically, technocrats known as the Berkeley Mafia implemented market-oriented policies that attracted foreign investment from the United States, Japan, and the IMF, leading to significant growth in sectors like petroleum and manufacturing, a period often called the "Indonesian miracle".

Social and cultural policies

The regime promoted a state ideology of Pancasila as a unifying doctrine, mandatory in all educational and organizational life, to counter alternative ideologies like communism or political Islam. Social engineering efforts included transmigration programs to move populations from Java to outer islands like Kalimantan and Papua, often exacerbating ethnic tensions. The government tightly controlled the media through the PWI and Department of Information, while cultural expression was monitored for adherence to state norms. The LIPI and state universities were directed to support development goals, and mass organizations were forced to adopt Pancasila as their sole principle through laws like the Social Organizations Law.

Foreign relations and international stance

In foreign policy, the New Order moved sharply away from Sukarno's confrontation with Malaysia and non-aligned posturing. Suharto aligned Indonesia firmly with the Western Bloc during the Cold War, normalizing relations with the United States and receiving substantial aid. A key early achievement was helping to found the ASEAN in 1967, positioning Indonesia as a regional leader. The regime invaded East Timor in 1975 following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, leading to a prolonged and brutal occupation condemned by the United Nations. Relations with China were frozen until 1990 due to suspicions of support for the PKI, while economic ties with Japan and Western Europe deepened significantly.

Decline and fall

The regime's decline began in the late 1980s with growing public discontent over widespread corruption, epitomized by the business dealings of the president's family and cronies like Bob Hasan and Liem Sioe Liong. The 1997 Asian financial crisis devastated the Indonesian economy, causing the rupiah to collapse and triggering mass unemployment. This economic disaster fueled massive student-led protests and riots, notably the Trisakti shootings in May 1998. Facing dwindling support from the military, key allies like Wiranto, and the political elite, Suharto resigned on 21 May 1998, transferring power to his vice president, B. J. Habibie.

Legacy and historiography

The legacy of the New Order remains deeply contested in Indonesia. It is credited with achieving decades of political stability and unprecedented economic growth that transformed infrastructure and reduced poverty. However, this is weighed against a record of severe human rights abuses, including the 1965–66 killings, the occupation of East Timor, the mysterious shootings of the 1980s, and suppression in regions like Aceh and Papua. The post-1998 Reformasi era has seen democratization but also persistent challenges with corruption and military reform. Historiography debates, such as those advanced by scholars like Benedict Anderson or John Roosa, continue to analyze the nature of the 1965 coup attempt and the extent of the regime's violence and developmental achievements. Category:History of Indonesia Category:Authoritarian states Category:Cold War history