VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > F. South and Southeast Asia, 1945–2000 > 2. Southeast Asia, 1941–2000 > c. The Malay Archipelago and Peninsular Malaysia > 4. Indonesia > 1983
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1983
 
The MPR (parliament) enacted a formal separation of religion and politics by requiring all political organizations to adopt the Pancasila (the five basic principles of independent Indonesia as outlined by Sukarno in 1945: nationalism, internationalism, democracy, social justice, and belief in one God).  1
All political groups were significantly affected by this emphasis on secularism because it separated them from their traditional sources of power. But the implications for Muslim groups were particularly threatening, given that the population was 90 percent Muslim. Suharto shared his predecessor's bias against Islam, especially its militant version, and he played Muslims off against the nationalist parties.  2
 
1985, Aug. 17
 
At the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of independence from the Dutch, Pres. Suharto warned the nation that it must still be on guard against neocolonialism and internal divisions.  3
 
1987
 
Suharto instituted an even stronger policy to instill political passivity; all societies, not only political parties, were required to declare as their sole guiding principle the state ideology of the Pancasila. Violent opposition to these limits was once again expressed by Muslim groups. Islamic parties had commanded about 30 percent of the vote, making them the largest sector in opposition to Suharto's New Order. Suharto's policies of defining the “Indonesian soul” in primarily secular terms left Muslims feeling extremely threatened; they perceived themselves a majority treated like a minority in their own country.  4
 
1990s
 
Concerns were growing about corruption in government and its adverse impact on economic development. In addition, the role of the military and its involvement in these issues were also questioned. The argument that autocratic government is inherently necessary for economic growth began to be challenged by more vocal groups.  5
 
1991
 
Regional divisions continued to plague the country, especially in Aceh and East Timor. Although from a military standpoint the two-year, separatist rebellion in Aceh was over, the Acehnese grievances about Javanese political and economic domination continued, along with allegations against the Indonesian military of torture and execution.  6
 
Nov
 
In East Timor, the Indonesian military's violent response to proindependence protests undermined the government's 15-year rule in East Timor and its efforts to gain the support of the inhabitants for the de facto unification with Indonesia.  7
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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