|
|
- Areas - Climate
- Flora - Fauna
THE PEOPLE
- The New Order To Reform Order Government - The 2001 special Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly - Pancasila and The Constitution - The Contents of the 1945 Constitution - The First Amendment to The 1945 Constitution - The Second Amendment to The 1945 Constitution
- The President as Chief Executive - “Gotong Royong” (mutual Assistance) Cabinet - Six Working Program of “Gotong Royong” Cabinet - The Agenda of Megawati Soekarnoputri Administrative - The House of Representatives - The Supreme Advisory Council
- Domestic and Foreign Investment - Rate of Rupiah Exchange and Performance of Stock Market
- Radio - Film - State Ministry of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia - Country Information Officer (CIO) - The Indonesian National Information Agency (LIN) - National Information Gateway
MARITIME AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES
- “Pasar Wisata” Tourism Indonesia
Electricity, Gas & Drinking Water
Areas
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with the total number of 17.508 islands according to the Indonesian Naval Hydro Oceanographic office. The archipelago is spread over on a crossroads between two oceans. The Pacific and the Indian ocean. And bridges two continents Asia and Australian.
The Pacific Ocean, on the east and on the north by the South China Sea. The Asian continent in the north and the Australian continent in the south. This strategic position has always influenced the cultural, social, political and economic life of the country.
The territory of the Republic of Indonesia stretches from 6º 08’ north latitude to 11º 15’ south latitude, and from 94º 45’ to 141º 05’ east longitude. The Indonesian sea area is four times greater than its land area. Which is about 1.9 million sq. km. The sea area is about 7.9 million sq. km (including an exclusive economic zone) and constitutes about 81% of the total area of the country.
The archipelago is divided into three groups. The islands of Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, and the small islands in between, lie on the Sunda Shelf which begin on the coast of Malaysia and Indo China, where the sea depth does not exceed 700 feet. Irian Jaya which is part of the island of New Guinea, and the Aru Island lie on the Sahul Shelf, which stretches northwards from the Australian coast. Here the sea depth is similar to that of the Sunda Shelf.
Sumatra, which is about 473.606 sq. km, in size; the most fertile and densely populates island, Java/Madura, 132,127 sq. km; Kalimantan, which comprises two-third of the island of Borneo and measures 539.460 sq. km; Sulawesi, 189,216 sq. km; and Irian Jaya, 421,981 sq. km, which is part of the world’s second largest island, New Guinea, are the country’s bigger islands in size. Indonesia’s other islands are smaller in size.
Indonesia is formed from the past as the “Ring of Fire” that girds the Pacific Ocean. Volcanoes have not only brought earthquake and disasters, but also fertility to the ground and abundant supply of mineral deposits.
The most famous Indonesian volcano is the Krakatau, situated in the Sunda Straits between Sumatra and Java. Its huge explosion in 1883 had a wide impacts on other islands, and its smoke was blown far away to Europe. Mount Agung in Bali exploded in 1963, but later brought more fertility to the island. The Balinese venerate the mountain as the abode of the gods, and mother – temple of Bali at Besakih nestles on its slopes.
Mount Merapi in Central Java is active. Its crater-lake is a potential danger every time when the volcano becomes active and its waters boil. During lulls, the cooled down lava flows can be followed almost to the top.
Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok is another favourite destination for climbers. And Mount Kelimutu in Flores hides lakes with three different colours, marine blue, aqua marine green and coca-cola brown red, reflecting the colour or their various silt deposits.
Although located in the tropics, the Jaya Wijaya in Irian Jaya is an all year – round snowclad mountain. Treks across wild Irian Jaya are a favourite with German and French visitors. Where rivers have cut the foothills into the georgeously created the beautifully picturesque Ngarai Sianok canyon on the edge of the town of Bukit-tinggi.
Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra offers a majestic scene of clear blue waters and looming mountain sides. Wacth out for hairpin bends that wind down all the way to the lake’s shores. West Sumatra, with its beautiful landscapes and distinct Minangkabau cultures is ideal for mountain biking.
Further north, the extinct volcanoes of North Sumatra are a pleasure to see and to trek. Where, volcanoes have formed lakes, deep and powerful waterfalls and long rivers. Lake Toba is the dramatic centrepiece of the sea, nestled in the Bukit Barisan ranges with 100 km long, as the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and highest in the world.
The island of Samosir, situated in central the lake, is equal in size to the island of Singapore. Where is the heart of Batak culture, the ethnic group that inhabits this stunning highland of hills and waterfalls. On the island there are megalithic monuments, artefacts and traditional Batak villages, that can be visited on scenic boat trip.
The longest rivers in Indonesia is Kapuas River located in West Kalimantan around 1.143 km. The other rivers are Musi River in Palembang, South Sumatra, Batanghari River in Jambi Province, Asahan River in North Sumatra, Bengawan Solo River and Berantas River in Central and East Java and Memberamo in West Papua.
Volcanoes, with year round sunshine cooling rains and warm weather have made these Indonesian islands fertile grounds for plants and animal life.
Climate
Indonesia has a tropical monsoon-type climate, characterized by slight changes of season and temperature, low winds, high degree of humidity and periodical heavy rainfall.
It has two monsoons. The East Monsoons or dry season runs from May to September and is influenced by the Australian continental air masses. The west monsoon or rainy season runs from December to March and is influenced by the Asian continental and Pacific Ocean air masses.
Average temperatures area are classified as follows: Coastal plains: 28º C; inland and mountain areas: 26º C; higher mountain areas: 23º C, varying with the altitude.
Indonesia has an average relative humidity between 70% and 90% with a minimum of 73% and a maximum of 87%.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora
The rich flora of Indonesia includes many unique varieties of tropical plant life in various forms. Rafflesia Arnoldi, which is found mainly in Bengkulu Province of Sumatra, is the largest flower in the world. This parasite plant grows on certain lianas but does not produce leaves. From the same area in Sumatra comes another giant, Amorphophallus Titanum, the largest inflorescence of its kind.
The insect trapping pitcher plant (Nepenthea spp) is represented by different species in many areas of western Indonesia.
The myriad of orchids are rich in species, varying in size from the largest of all orchids, the tiger orchid or Grammatophyllum Speciosum, to the tiny and leafless species of Taeniophyllum which is edible and taken by the local people as a medicine or used in handicraft. The forest soil is rich in humus which enables the luxuriant growth of a multitude of fungi, including the horse hair blight, the luminescent species, the sooty mould and the black mildew.
The flora also abounds in timber species. The dipterocarp family is renown for its timber (meranti), resin, vegetable oil and tengkawang or illipe nuts. Ramin, a good quality timber for furniture production, is produced by the gonystylus tree. Sandalwood, Ebony, Ulin and Palembang timber are other valuable forest products. Teakwood is a product of man-made forests in Java.
Because the flora is so rich many people in Indonesia have made a good living on this natural resource. About 6,000 species of plants are known to be used directly or indirectly by the people. A striking example in this modern time is probably the use of plants in the production of traditional herbal medicine or “jamu”, whereas flowers are indispensable in ceremonial, customary and traditional rites.
Fauna
Indonesia’s fauna can be distinguished between the islands in the west, which are distinctly Asian and those in the east, where Australian type animals are found. Amongst the five hundred species of mammals, you can see tigers, black panther, orangutans, elephants and the Java rhino in Sumatra; freshwater dolphins, proboscis monkeys in Kalimantan; and kangaroos and wallabies in Irian Jaya. Beside that bears, tapirs and orang utans have their habitat in Sumatara and Kalimantan, buffaloes in Java and Kalimantan.
In its 300 nature reserves, comprising 120,000 sq km (or 6,5% of the nation’s land mass) you’ll find an incredibly vast array of animals, mammals, birdlife, reptiles, freshwater creatures and marine life. Komodo island between Flores and Sumbawa is uniquely inhibited by the Dragon’s Lizard or Komodo as the largest lizard of this kind in the world.
Of the 1,5000 species of birds, you’ll marvel at the flightless cassowary, brilliant cockatoos, colourful parrots, and if you visit Maluku and Irian Jaya, up to 40 species of Birds of Paradise. You can see countless reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates including giant sea turtles.
On Sulawesi alone, there are deer, pigs, cuscus, the famous Anoa dwarf buffalo, the Babirusa with its curved tusks growing from the top of its snout and the heavy set black macaque resembling a miniature gorilla. In North Sulawesi see the cute tarsiers with their palm-sized bodies and large saucer-eyes.
Monkeys, deer snakes, and crocodiles are found in both the eastern and western parts of Indonesia.
THE PEOPLE
Four main ethnic of racial groups can be distinguished: the Melanesian, the proto-Austronesian, the Polynesian and the Micronesian.
Members of the Melanesian race constitute by far the biggest majority of the population and include such major groups as the Minangkabau, the Bataks, the Malays and the peoples of Aceh, Palembang and Lampung, all on the island of Sumatra; the Sundanese and Javanese of Java; the Balinese; the Dayak people of Kalimantan, and the Minahasa, the Bugis and the Toraja of Sulawesi.
Representing the Polynesian and proto-Austronesian elements are the peoples of Maluku and Irian Jaya.
Total population of Indonesia in the mid 2002 is 216,6 million, with the rate of growth of 1,44% during 2000-2002. All provinces have decreasing rate of growth except Bali and Nusa Tenggara.
The increasing rate growth for East Nusa Tenggara is due to large number of East Timor Refugees. A significant decline of growth rate has occurred in west Sumatra, DKI Jakarta, central of Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java and Maluku with the growth rate less than 1 percent.
The annual growth rate of population decreased significantly from 1,98% in the period 1980 – 1990 to 1,65% and 1,57% in the period 1990-1995 and 1995 – 2000. Then, it was estimated decrease to 1,44% and 1,40% in the 2000 – 2002 and 2002 – 2004 respectively.
a. Population by province (thousand)
Source : BPS
b. Population Growth (%)
RELIGIOUS LIFE AND TRADITIONS
The development of religious life is aimed at materializing devout Indonesian people based on morality, harmonious, relationship in a religious society to maintain and defend national unity, create a civil society, national solidarity and improve religious practice of each individual according to his/her religious belief. Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Budhas, they are very harmonies and other religion. In order to overcome separatism and disintegration, the government has taken the following policies: (1) to promote religious belief, piety and religious harmony in the community; (2) to encourage the participation of the religious believers; (3) to improve religious education and activities; (4) to increase religious service; and (4) to implement the haj-pilgrimage.
The development of religion is extremely directed to achieve progress, like the development of houses of worship for various religious, the improvement of the collective pilgrimage, as well as information and other religious services. At this moment, the total number of house of worship is 1.15 million, consisting: 702 thousands of mosques, 42 thousands of Protestant-churches, 149 thousands of Catholic-churches, 223 thousands of temples, and 33 thousands of viharas in Indonesia.
With a long history of fusion with foreign cultures and religions, local beliefs, traditions and monuments have through the ages been imbued with the different influences from Hinduism, Budhism, Islam, Christianity, down to the modern cyberspace age. In Jakarta, the 19th Century Catholic Cathedral stands almost exactly opposite the modern grand Istiqlal Mosque.
The royal courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta celebrate annually by the Sekaten to commemorating the birthday of Prophet Mohammed. One month festival attended by more then ten thousand people who come from various towns and cities, presents a spectacular carnival, on the long-awaited day. A long colourful procession of elegantly dressed princes and princesses, noblemen, court officials, palace guards, dancers and musicians accompanied by two giant cones of rice decorated with vegetables, called “Gunungan”.
After blessing, the food is distributed among the people who believe that eating of the gunungan will ensure good life health and prosperity.
On the island of Lombok, in early February each year, the local priest keeps a seek on the beach for sea worms. When this festivity can begins, thousands folks gathered at the shore to watch sea warm hurting.
In Bali, every day there are processions in the village temples for weddings, tooth-filling ceremonies, on the occasion of births and elaborate pageantry for cremations.
In Pontianak, located on the equator in West Kalimantan Province, people celebrate the arrival of the sun directly overhead by holding dragon boat races. While in Sumba, in East Nusa Tenggara, the Pasola festival is celebrated with jousting on horseback.
In may, Buddhist from all around the world congregate at Borobudur to honour the birth and death of Buddha Gautama.
More than 200 different ethnic groups live here, speaking of more than 300 different local languages. Girding the equator like a string of emeralds – the Indonesia islands comprises an ethnic kaleidoscope like no other on earth. In such diversity there is unity, called “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” many are one, unity in diversity.
There normally belong to the different ethnic groups of the population. Some of the distinctly different local languages are; Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak, Tetum of Timor, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese, Halmahera, Ambonese, Cermese, and several Irianese languages. To make the picture even more colourful, these languages are also spoken in different dialects.
The national language of Indonesia is “Bahasa Indonesia”. Originally it was the Malay language mainly spoken in the Riau Island. Although Bahasa Indonesia has became the lingua franca, local languages and dialects continue to be spoken and will not be abolished.
With the coming of the Netherlands East Indies Company (VOC), Indonesia partly entered a period of colonialism, poverty and misery. Owing to superior armament and through a “divide et impera” policy of showing discords among the population, the VOC succeeded in expanding its power and territory. The Dutch took drastic and cruel steps to sightened their monopoly and keep up the prices of spices.
Private spice plantations in Maluku were destroyed and expeditions undertaken to punish the population resistance called “Houngi Expedition”. The sultans and princess were maltreated and forced to sign agreements to acknowledge the authority of the VOC, and thus became subordinates to the VOC. In 1799, the VOC was declared bankrupt and all its proprieties were transferred to the Dutch Government.
The occupation of the Netherlands by the French during the Napoleonic War, brought Indonesia, under the rule of the British East India Company (1811-1816).
Sir Thomas Stampord Raffles, who during the British temporary rule Liutenant-Governor General of Java and dependencies, abolished the slade trade, introduced partial self-government and re stored the Borobudur temple.
After Napoleon’s downfall, the Dutchreturned to Indonesia and resumed their colonial policy, exploiting the country’s natural resources at the cost of the interests of the people, who continued to resist Dutch colonizers. Fierce battles broke out everywhere, led by brave patriots like Thomas Matulessy (Maluku Uprising, 1816-1818), Prince Diponegoro (Java War), 1825-1830), Cik Di Tiro and Teuku Umar (Aceh War, 1873-1903), Teuku Imam Bonjol (Padri War, 1830-1837 in West Sumatra), and Sisingamangaraja (Batak War, 1907), However all these wars of independence were suppressed and their leaders imprisoned or exiled.
In 1893-1931 Governor general Van den Bosch imposed the “Tanam Paksa” system whereby the people was forced to plant commercial crops and sacrificed cultivation of their staple food. Following criticisms voiced by Dutch Scholars, among others by Douwes Dekker in the Netherlands East Indies as well as in the Netherlands itself, the Dutch Administration introduced an “ethical policy” in 1901 which was aimed at increasing education and improving agriculture but in reality brought little benefit to the population. The “Volksraad” of the “People’s Council” established in 1918, consisted mainly of Europeans. School were built but their number was very small. At the outbreak of World War II, the Indonesian people were still poor and the rate of illiteracy stood at 93%. The unsuccessful wars of independence by of waging an organized struggle. This period of “national awakening” was heralded by Boedi Oetomo, founded on May 20, 1908 by students of the Medical School (Stovia) in Jakarta, such as Wahidin Sudirohusodo and Sutomo. Other organizations came into being soon after wards. All has as their ultimate aim the establishment of “Indonesia Merdeka” an independent Indonesian state.
Realizing that unity was imperative to cope with Dutch “divide-and-rule” policy, the youth, at their second progress on October 28, 1928, called for unity among the Indonesian youth and pledged allegiance to “One Nation”, Indonesia, One Country, Indonesia, One Language, Bahasa Indonesia”. In the spirit of unity pledged by youth, women’s organizations from over the country held their first conference in Yogyakarta, on December 22, 1928, and merged into a single organization, the Indonesian Woman’s Congress. Youth organizations such as Young Sumatra, Young Java, Young Minahasa, Young Ambon, ect., were also merged into “Young Indonesia” (Indonesia Muda).
World War II made an end to Dutch domination when the Dutch armed forces surrendered to the Japanese on March 7, 1942. The years of Japanese occupation (1942-1945) was a period of hardship, poverty, famine and hard labour. Japanese propaganda for a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere became very unpopular. Uprising and rebellion arouse in many parts of the country. Under the pressure of the nationalists, the Japanese authorities were brought to recognize the Red-and-White as the national flag, Indonesia Raya as the national anthem, and Bahasa Indonesia as the national language.
On August 17, 1945, three days after Japan’s unconditional surrendered to the Allies, the Indonesians proclaimed their independence and established the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia covering the territory of the former Netherlands East Indies. Having suffered from the bitter experience of the Dutch “divide et impera” policy, the national leaders held the view that the form of government through which a just and prosperous society could be reached was a unitary state. Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta became the President and Vice-President of the new state which was based on the sate philosophy of Pancasila comprising the following five principles: Belief in One and Only God, Just and Civilized Humanity. The Unity of Indonesia, Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom of Deliberations amongst Representatives, and Social Justice for the Whole of the People of Indonesia.
On August 18, 1945, the state constitution, often referred to as the Constitution of the Proclamation, was adopted together with the formation of the House of Representatives, Supreme Advisory Council, Supreme Audit Board, and people’s Consultative Assembly as the embodiment of the people’s sovereignty.
The Red-and-White was officially accepted as the national flag, and Bahasa Indonesia as the national language. Again, Indonesians had to face the Dutch, who wishing to reinstate their colonial rule in Indonesia had smuggled military troops into the allied forces who came to Indonesia in September 1945 to disarm the Japanese and repatriate Allied Prisoners of War and Internees (APWI).
Consequently, bloody battles broke out in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya and other major cities. During five years of physical struggle, “Dutch sponsored puppet states” were establish, such as the State of East Indonesia, South Sumatra, Bangka, Madura, etc. and agreements concluded for a peaceful settlement with the Dutch.
The Linggarjati Agreement signed on March25, 1947, under the good offices of Britain’s Lord Killearn resulted in the “de facto” recognition of the Republic of Java, Madura and Sumatra.
The Renville Agreement was signed on board of the USS Renville on January 17, 1948, to end the Dutch all-out attack upon the Republic, or what they called a “police action” launched on July 21, 1947. Following the occoupation of Yogyakarta and the arrest of President Soekarno, Vice President Mohammad Hatta, Syahrir and other republican leaders during the second Dutch military attack in December 1948, Indonesian freedom fighters commenced waging a guerrilla warfare under General Soedirman, while an emergency government of the Republic of Indonesia was set up in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, under Syarifuddin Prawiranegara, as the interim 2nd president.
On January 28, 1949, the Security Council adopted a resolution for discontinuation of hostilities, the release of the Republican leaders, who had been brought to Bangka Island off the east coast of Sumatra, and their return to Yogyakarta.
The “Roem-Van Rooyen” Agreement provided for the return of Yogyakarta to the Republic and the gradual withdrawal of Dutch troops, before the holding of a round Table conference on the basis of transfer on sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia, on December 27, 1949. Its consisting of 16 states which were associated with the Netherlands in a symbolic confederation under the Queen of the Netherlands, with a federal constitution and a government system based on parliamentary democracy.
On August 17, 1950, Indonesia abandoned its federal character and regained its original status of a Unitary State.
The first year of existence of the young republic were years full of unrest and rebellion, the separatist movement of “Darul Islam” fanatics in West Java (1947) aims at established an Islamic state; the Communist in Madiun (East Java) under Muso (1948); the coup d’etat attempt by Sultan Hamid Alkadri of Pontianak, West Kalimantan (1950); Army Captain Andi Aziz in South Sulawesi (1950): the South maluku Uprising (1950) under Soumokil who attempt to establish the so called “Republic of South Mollucas” (RMS); the revolt of Teuku Daud Beureuh in Aceh (1953); PRRI in West Sumatra (1958-1960); PERMESTA in North Sulawesi (1958-1960); and finally the abortive coup d’eat of the Indonesian Communist Party on September 30, 1965. These various rebellions were aimed at either reinstating the government, and even at changing the state ideology. These challenges were overcome, and the Republic retained its unitary character, owing to the faithful observance of Pancasila and its five philosophy principles.
To strengthen solidarity and unity among the nations of Asia and Africa, Indonesia was host to the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung West Java. The conference which was attended by 24 Asian-African countries and lasted from 18-24 April 1955, produced the Declaration on the Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation, and the “Dasasila” or the ten Principles by which states may coexist peacefully.
On February 13, 1956, Indonesia annulled the Round Table Conference Agreement of 1949, as a reaction to Dutch non-cooperation in solving the problem of West Irian (Irian Barat) whose future, according to the agreement, was to have been determined through negotiations between the parties sovereignty.
Considering the bilateral negotiations which had come to nothing and the inability of the United Nations to settle the West Irian dispute, Indonesia resorted to a total confrontation with the Dutch. Diplomatic relations were broken off and Dutch-owned enterprises nationalized or taken over. On the 23rd January 1963, the Indonesian Government instructed Major General Soeharto (who later became the Second President of Indonesia) in his function Commander of “Mandala” Theater Army Command, to liberate West Irian from Dutch occupation to realize the People’s Threefold Command (Trikora).
The West Irian dispute which had dragged on for 13 years finally came to end with the signing of the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962. Under the terms of this agreement, the Dutch were to transfer the administration of West Irian, on October 1st, 1962, to UNTEA, which, in turn, would had it over to the Republic of Indonesia on May 1st, 1963.
With the return of Irian Barat in 1963, Indonesia’s territorial integrity from Sabang, the westernmost tip of the country, to Merauke, the easternmost corner of Irian Barat, was restored. Once again affirmed the implementation of the Act of free Choice (PEPERA) in 1969 and in pursuance of the New York Agreement, when the remain an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.
In 1955, the first general Election was held to elect members of the House and the “Konstituante” (Constituent Assembly) who were assigned the task to draw up a new constitution. Of the 47 competing parties, four emerged as winners. The failure of the Constituent Assembly to carry out its assignment led to the Assembly’s dissolution by President Soekarno who on July 5, 1959, issued a Decree to readopt the 1945 Constitution with a Presidential Cabinet.
The period between 1950 and 1959, during which Indonesia practiced parliamentary democracy, was marked by instability and rivalry among the political parties and among government officials. Cabinet posts were continually reshuffled and not one cabinet was able to realize its program during that period.
Induced by Indonesian communist Party’s views. President Soekarno staged a confrontation against Malaysia which he regarded as being a “puppet” and satellite of the British Empire. Diplomatic relations with Malaysia were severed on 3rd September 1964. Indonesia had been a member of the United Nations since September 28, 1950, but withdrew on January 1, 1965, when Malaysia was accepted as member of the United Nations Security Council.
Over-confident of their strength, the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) attempted another coup on September 130, 1965. The uprising, however, was abrupt and quickly stamped out by the Armed Forces under Major General Soeharto, the Chief of the Army’s Strategic Command.
On the night of September 30, or more precisely in the early hours of October 1, 1965, armed PKI-men and members of Cakrabirawa, the President’s security guard, set out of kidnap, torture and kill six top Army Generals. Further on their bodies were damped in an abandoned well at Lubang Buaya, on the outskirts of Jakarta. The coup was staged in the wake of troop deployments to Kalimantan at the height of Indonesia’s, confrontation with Malaysia. Moreover, at the time, many cabinet members were attending a celebration of Chinese October revolution in Beijing. It was during this power vacuum that the communist struck again.
Under instruction from General Soeharto, crack troops of Army’s Commando Regiment (RPKAD) freed the central radio station (RRI) and the telecommunication center from communist occupation.
Students made for the streets in militant demonstrations to fight for a three points claim, or “Trikora”, that aimed to ban the PKI, replace Soekarno’s cabinet ministers, and cut down the prices of basic necessities. They set up a “street parliament” to gather the demands of the people.
Under these explosive conditions, President Soekarno eventually gave in and granted Soeharto full power to restore order and security in the country. The transfer of power was affected by a presidential order known as “The 11th of March Order” of 1966. Soon afterwards, on March 12, 1966, General Soeharto banned the PKI. This decision was endorsed and sanctioned by virtue of the Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly Decree No. XXV/MPRS/1966. He also formed a new cabinet, but Soekarno remained as Chief of executive. This brought dualism into the cabinet, particularly when Soekarno did not show support for the cabinet’s program to establish political and economic stability. Hence, a special session of the Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) was convened from March 7-12, 1967. The Assembly resolved Soekarno of his presidential duties and appointed Soeharto as Acting president, pending the election of anew President by an elected People’s Consultative Assembly.
The New Order to Reform Order Government
Since the outset of the First Five-Year Development Plan in 1969, Indonesia under the New Order Government of President Soeharto had endeavoured to achieve its national development goals. Indonesia, indeed, was able to achieve a substantial progress in various fields which had been enjoyed by the majority of Indonesian people. Indonesia had gained a success of national development, but unfortunately economic crisis, which began monetary crisis, struck Indonesia as of July 1997.
Since the middle of 1997, the standard of living of Indonesian people has dropped fast. The decline in the people’s standard of living was aggravated by various political tension arising from the 1997 general elections. The political system and interests of the community. This led to the occurrence of riots and disturbances. To a certain extend, these happenings reflected the less functioning of the Political order and of the government, finally causing this situation to develop into a political crisis.
This accumulation of the economic crisis and the political crisis became a triggered factor for crisis in confidence. This applied not just to officials and state-running institutions, but also began to touch on the system of values and the legal foundations that underpin the state running institutions.
A number of students demonstrated to summon for political and economic reformations. They demanded President Soeharto to step down and swept out corruption, collusion and nepotism. Critical moments prevailed in the capital city of Jakarta, and other towns from May 12 to 21, 1998.
On May 12, 1998, a tragedy happened in the Trisakti University Campus, causing the death of four students. On May 18, the leadership of the House suggested the President to resign. The president’s effort to accommodate the developing aspirations of the people by forming a reform provincial cabinet and a reform committee never materialized as there was no adequate support from various circles.
On May 21, 1998, finally, President Soeharto, after a 32 year rule under the New Order Government resigned. Pursuant to Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution and the People’s Consultative Assembly decree No. VII/MPR/1973, he handed over the country’s leader to Vice president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. Habibie took his oath of office before Chief Justice Sarwata to become Indonesia’s third President. Presiden Soeharto also disbanded the cabinet which he formed shortly after his re-election for a seventh five-year presidential term in March.
A day after his instalment as the third president, Habibie formed the Development Reform Cabinet. He pick up the ministers from the various political and social forces, including three politicians from the two minority parties, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle (PDI), to provide the needed synergy. During the Presidency of B.J. Habibie Indonesia conducted the session of the people’ Consultative Assembly (MPR) in November 1998 and carried out general Election on June 7, 1999.
Indonesians vote for representatives at three levels: the House of Representatives (DPR), the Provincial Assemblies (DPRD I) and regency assemblies (DPRD II). Every citizen of Indonesia has the right to cast his/her vote in the election.
Politicaly parties in Indonesia were simplified in 1973. Since that time until the general election of 1997, there were two political parties, the United Development party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan) and the Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia), plus the Functional Group (Golongan Karya), Golkar emerged as the winning party at every election ever held during the New Order Government.
Indonesia’s eight general election held in June, 7, 1999 was the first General Election in the Reform Order Government under the President B.J. Habibie Administration. Forty-eight (48) political parties contested for the election, under observation of both domestic and international observers and great coverage of free press. It was noted as the most democratic and transparent general election in Indonesia. People were to choose 462 legislators from at least 10,500 candidates from 48 political parties to represent them at 500-member House Representatives. The remaining 38 seats have been allocated to the military, whose members have relinquished their rights to vote.
The result of 1999 General Election are : the Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) headed by Megawati Soekarnoputri on the top of the list, followed by its four contenders : the Golkar Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP), and the National mandate Party (PAN). But under the Islamic PAN Alliance, Megawati was posited to Vice-President, during General Assembly Session. While Abdurrahman Wahid from the UDP (PPP), run after her for the President.
Based on the Law No. 4 of 1999, concerning the Composition and Status of the People’ Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House Representative (DPR), the total number of MPR members is 700, consisting of : 500 DPR members, 135 delegates from the regions (that is, five persons each province), and 65 delegates of functional groupings. All members of the House are concurrently members of the Assembly. The MPR held general session in two stages, from October 1 to 3 and October 14-21, 1999. During the session the accountability address of president Habibie was rejected, and Habibie with drew from his presidential nomination as a candidate from the Golkar Party.
Abdurrahman Wahid, better know as Gus Dur, indisputably become Indonesia’s fourth President.
The 2001 Special Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly
There was severe tension between President Abdurrahman Wahid and the Parliament on some issue. This led to the announcement of the declaration of the state of emergency and the suspension of MPR, DPR and the Golkar Party as well as the calling for constructing organization of general election in a short time, declared by President Wahid.
Responding to the President announcement, the Parliament immediately held a special session on July 21, 2001, which was due to convene a Special Session on August 1, 2001, and asked the President to make his accountability.
The President failed to attend the MPR session and to report his accountability, making it to the MPR issued the decree (No. II/MPR/2000) that impeached Abdurrahman Wahid from presidency and appointed Vice-President Megawati Soekarnoputri the country’s 6th president of the Republic of Indonesia, and Hamzah haz vice president.
Pancasila And The Constitution
Indonesia is a democratic sates based on the Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. Pancasila is the nation’s outlook on life, consisting of five philosophical principles which are inseparable: 1. Belief in One and Only God, 2. Just and Civilized Humanity, 3. The Unity of Indonesia, 4. Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom of Deliberations amongst Representatives, 5. Social Justice for the Whole of the People of Indonesia.
Pancasila is part of the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution. Since independence, the republic of Indonesia has had several constitutions, namely: a. The 1945 Constitution: 18 August 1945 – December 27, 1949; b. The Constitution of the Republic of the United State of Indonesia: December 27, 1949 –August 17, 1950; c. The Provisional Constitution of 1950: August 17, 1950-July 5, 1959; d. The 1945 Constitution; July 5, 1959 up to present.
The Constitution of the country is only a part of her basic law. It is the written part. In addition, there is the unwritten part of the basic law which comprises principle regulations that grow and are preserved in the conduct of state affairs.
It is also worth noting that the preamble to the constitution enfolds the basic thoughts: firstly, the sate protects all Indonesian people and the entire territory of Indonesia on the basis of unity; secondly, the state shall strive for social justice for all the people; thirdly, the state shall be based on the sovereignty of the people, on democracy and the deliberations of representatives; fourthly, the state shall be based on the belief in the One and Only God and on just civilized humanity.
The Contents of the 1945 Constitution
There are 37 Article in the constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, contained in its 16 Chapter.
Chapter I concerns the form of the state and sovereignty, staging that the State of Indonesia shall be a unitary state which has the form of a republic, and sovereignty shall be vested in the people and shall be exercised in full by the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (People’s Consultative Assembly).
Chapter II deals with the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, the highest institution which determines the constitution and the guidelines of the state policy.
Chapter III briefly about the presidency, Chapter IV relates to the Supreme Advisory Council, Chapter V concerns the state ministers. The regional government and the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (the House of Representatives) are described in Chapter VI and VII, Chapter VII, IX, X,XI,XII and XIII talk about finance, the judiciary power, citizenship, religion, national defense and education, respectively, Social welfare and the flag and the language are explained in Chapters XIV and XV. Chapter XVI deals with amendments to the Constitution. In addition, there are traditional provisions, consisting of four clauses, and two clauses of additional provisions.
The First Amendment to the 1945 Constitution
The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) has been accurately and conscientiously studying, analysing, and considering, the fundamental matters faced by the people, nation and state. It has also been using its authority based on Article 37 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. In the context the MPR has amended: Article 5 paragraph (1), Article 7, Article 9, Article 13 paragraph (2), Article 14, Article 15, Article 17 paragraph (2) and (3), Article 20, Article 21 of the 1945 Constitution.
The Second Amendment to the 1045 Constitution
By the same authority based on Article 37 of the 1945 Constitution, the MPR RI is amended and/or complemented Article 18, Article 18A, Article 18B, Article 19, Article 20 paragraph (5), Article 20A, Article 22A, Article 22B, Chapter IXA, Article 25E, Chapter X, Article 26 paragraph (2) and (3), Article 27 paragraph (3), Chapter XA, Article 28A, Article 28B, Article 28C, Article 28D, Article 28E, Article 28F, Article 28G, Article 28H, Article 28I, Article 28J, Chapter XII, Article 30, Chapter XV, Article 36A, Article 36B, Article 36C of the 1945 Constitution.
Indonesia is divided into 30 provinces of the first level regions including 3 special territories with the status of a province, namely the Special Territories of the Capital of Jakarta, of Aceh, and of Yogyakarta, Gorontalo become Indonesia’s 30th province in 2001.
The Governor is the Chief Executive in the province and works a staff of regional officials. Side by side is the provincial legislative, with whom the regional government concurs on regional legislation and decisions on the budget.
On the district (Kabupaten) and municipal (Kotamadya) levels, the Chief Executives are respectively, the Bupati (district head) and Walikota kodya (mayor). The Bupati/Walikota kodya concurs with the local legislative on matters relating to local government regulation and the budget. Both provincial and district municipality governments are granted autonomy.
The Governor is the Head of the Province and concurrently represents the Central Government in his region. The Bupati/Walikota kodya is the Head of the Kabupaten/Kotamadya and concurrently represents the Governor in his district/municipality.
Below the district municipal level the administrative are the Kecamatan, or Sub-District Administrations and the Kelurahan, or Village Administrations. The Kecamatan is an administrative sub-division of the Kabupaten or Kotamadya. It is headed by a Camat, The Kecamatan office is in charge of the administration of the sub-district, social welfare and economic affairs. Some national government departments have branches in the Kecamatan office.
A secretary and section heads assist the Lurah, who heads the Kelurahan, However, national government departments do not have branch offices in a Kelurahan. Both the Camat and the Lurah are civil servants appointed on merit from the ranks of local government officials.
In the Desa, or village, the village’s adult population elects the village head. The Bupati on behalf of the governor then appoints the elected candidate. In the office of the village heads there is a secretary and several section heads. A unique feature of village life is the Village Council of Elders, which is composed of 9 to 15 prominent village leaders. The Council makes decisions in concurrence with the village head.
Community living is forested by two neighbourhood organizations. “The Rukun Tetangga” takes care of social and administrative matters of a neighbourhood, such as the registration of families, security, garbage collection of number of Rukun Tetangga (smallest unit of neighbourhood).
The highest organ of the state is the People’s Consultative Assembly. As the holder of the people’s sovereignty, it elects as the President and Vice-President for five-year terms and determines the Guidelines of State Policy to be carried out by the President in his capacity as Mandatory of the Assembly.
Following the People’s Consultative Assembly in rank are five state institution on equal level, namely, the President as Chief Executive, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Advisory Council, the Supreme Court, The State Audit Board. The President as Chief Executive
In the government system of Indonesia, the President is both head of state and chief executive. He or she holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re-election. Since the President is also the Mandatory of the People’s Consultative Assembly, he/she must execute his/her duties in compliance with the Guidelines of State Policy as decreed by the Assembly.
The President is the Head of Government and appoints the Cabinet Ministers who are his assistants. She is the Chief Executive and concurrently Supreme Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces. The President holds office for a five-year period and is eligible for reelection. As mandatory of the People’s Consultative Assembly, he/she is responsible to the Assembly.
“Gotong Royong” (Mutual Assistance) Cabinet
The first Indonesian (woman) President Megawati Soekarnoputri announced her cabinet on August 9, 2001 and swore them in on August 10, 2001. Megawati Soekarnoputri named her cabinet “Gotong Royong” Cabinet which comprises three coordinating ministers, and two high official with status as state ministers.
Six Working Program of “Gotong Royong” Cabinet
At first plenary cabinet session, President Megawati Soekarnoputri mentioned the six working programs of her cabinet, namely: 1. Monitoring the nation’s unitary and integrity in the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. 2. Continuing reform and democratization in all aspects of national life through a clearer framework, direction, and agenda, while improving respect for human rights; 3. Restoring the economy and strengthening the basis for the People’s economy; 4. Consistent upholding of the law and creating a feeling of security and eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism; 5. Conducting a free and active foreign policy, restoring the dignity of the state and nation and recovering the trust of foreign countries, including international donor institutions and investors, in the government; and 6. Preparing a safe, orderly, and direct general elections in 2004. The Agenda of Megawati Soekarnoputri Administration
· Recovering the economy of Indonesia. · Creating the clean government and eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism. · Improving the Indonesian image in international Fora. · Normalizing and keeping on the national stability, security, and defense.
In improving the Indonesia image abroad, President Megawati Soekarnoputri rearranged cooperation with the neighbour countries among others through some visits for getting supports and assuring them that Indonesia had restored from the economic crisis. The visits held to ASEAN countries of Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar. Then on September 2001, the President leaved for the United States and Japan. In her visits to East Asia Countries, Megawati went to The People Republic of China, North and South Koreas. She also made a visit to South Asia Country, India.
On March 24, 2002, President Megawati Soekarnoputri held visit to some countries such as the People’s Republic of China(RRC), the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
In connecting with the Korean visit the most important one is an achievement in the field of diplomacy where President Megawati could play a role to open the road of dialogue between the North and South Korea in solving the Conflict at Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, President Kim Dae Yung of South Korea admitted that he had expected for a while so that President Megawati acts as a peacemaker in the Korea dispute.
Those visits are very important mainly for encourage of Indonesia diplomacy abroad. The great significance of those had been a priority of foreign policy in strengthening of territorial integrity from separatism of such as Acehnese, Papuan, and Ambonese. This domestic problem has international dimension that can’t go on. Some Megawati domestic visit to the conflicting provinces like Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD), Mollucas, Papua and Central Sulawesi (Poso) are an effort to keep the unity of Indonesia in conducive. Her visit to NAD on September 2, 2001, brought about positive results such as implementing dialogue between the government and the people including of the minority of separation followers. In the Poso Affair (Central Sulawesi, the government had taken a concrete action by putting the clash into a peaceful agreement of Malino. So did the Ambone case, it had been solved the same way with the Poso Solution.
On December 20, 2001, the small Moslem and Christian communities had accorded to halt the clash that happened for some time. They negotiated a Settlement of Conflict peacefully in Malino, a town in South Sulawesi. On this matter, the government appointed Coordinator Minister for People Welfare, Jusuf Kalla as a mediator. The Negotiation succeeded in reaching 10 concordances. In Addition, Minister Jusuf Kalla also acted as an interceder in a peaceful talk on the case of Mollucas, a collision involving small Moslem and Christian too. The meeting also held in Malino participated by conflicted sides. In this case, the government performed as a facilitator. All parties, especially Moslem and Christian groups, had ratified 11 points of peaceful agreement in Malino on February 12,2002, for the sake of integrity of Republic of Indonesia and putting ahead of Mollucas Societies.
Mean while, some heads of foreign government also made visits to Indonesia: A Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shimawatra. Following those visits and meetings with her counterparts, President Megawati had ratified some agreements on economic, defense, technology and cultural cooperation.
The House of Representatives
The total membership of the House Representatives is 500, composing 462 members representing the political organizations that took part in the general election, and 38 members appointed from the Armed Forces.The Supreme Advisory Council
The function of the Supreme Advisory Council is to answer any questions that the President may ask in relation to the affairs of the State.
Members of the Council are nominated by the House and appointed by the President for a term of five years. Certain set conditions must be met to quality for appointments.
The council is headed by a chairman and has four vice-chairmen and 45 members. The permanent committees of the council are: The political committee, the economic, financial and industrial committee, the committee on people’s welfare, and the committee on defense and security. The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the judicial arm of the State and exists beside the legislative and the executive branches. It enjoys an independent status in the socio-political fabric. It was not until 1968 that the structuring of the Supreme Court was completed to meet the conditions set out in the 1945 Constitutions, i.e. to the free from government intervention in the exercise of justice. In 1970 a law was enacted that laid down the basic principle of Indonesia’s judicial powers.
The State Audit Board
Its main function is to conduct official examinations of government financial accounts. The findings of the Board are submitted to the House of Representatives, which approves the government budget.
Indonesia’s Economic Growth in 2001 was recorded at 3.32 percent, down from 4.8 percent in 2000. For 2002 it is projected to grow at 4 percent and for 2003 at 6 percent.
In 2002 the macro-economic policy will be aimed at self-sustained economy recovery, and will be carried out through a series of monetary policies, fiscal, enterprise restructuring and assets recovery by the IBRA (Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency), and restructuring policies in the various sectors.
Along with the projection of national economic growth, inflation target and exchange rate, the growth rate of primary monetary in 2002 is projected at around 12-13%.
The performance of IBRA is one of the key points of economic recovery in Indonesia. The role of IBRA is very important and strategic in the process of restructuring enterprises, both the bank and the non-bank institutions. Therefore, to guarantee successful result, IBRA is expected to closely exercise transparency and accountability in carrying out is tasks. Meanwhile the Finance Sector Policy Committee (KKSK) and the Oversight Committee are encouraged to work optimally. The main task of the Committee is to formulate policies for the creation of healthy banks and restructure debt by IBRA.
To strengthen fundamental economy for the process of medium term economic growth, the government will reform the structure of many sectors. Among the efforts are improving the supply system of the public sector and financial management policy, reform state owned enterprises and the poverty alleviation program.
In the whole year of 2001, the total export rates fell by 9.8% contrasted to that of prior year. The sum of gas-oil and non-gas-oil exports declined respectively by 12.1% and 9.1%.
On December 2001, the total export value reached US$ 3.99 billion or it rose by 4.1% compared to that of previous month. The increasing of this export revenue was pashed by the raising of gas-oil export by 6.2% and non-gas-oil exports 3.5%. The three biggest countries as the destination of exports are the United States, Japan and Singapore consecutively lifted amount to 18.7%, 7.0% and 21.1%.
Next on December 2001 too, the total import values was amount to US$ 200 billion that means it declined by 1.1 % compared to the prior month. This caused by descending of non-gas-oil imports by 2.9% where as the gas-oil imports raised by 7.2%.
During the year of 2001, the total import worth gained US$ 30.79 billion or it dropped by 8.1% contrasted that of the same period in prior year. Based on utility, consumption commodity imports, and capital goods, consecutively deceased by 17.5%, 8.3%, and 2.2%. The Summary of Exports and Imports can be looked at the following table:
Domestic and Foreign Investments
The contract worth of domestic and foreign investments in 2001 deceased each of by 36.5% and 58% compared to that of previous year. Considering the important role of investment and integrating of economic recovery. It is needed encouragement and integrated affords. The number of domestic investment projects that had been approved dropped from 335 projects in 2000 to 249 projects in 2001. At the same time, the value of domestic investment also decreased.
Rate of Rupiah Exchange and Performance of Stock Market
The money supply position at the end of January 2002 descended amount of Rp116.5 trillion. It was an 8.8% lower than that was in earlier month. In line with declining of banknote demand, the interest of Indonesia Central Bank dropped into 16.7%. Meanwhile, on last January of that year the rate of rupiah exchange increased slightly compared to the value of prior month, which had a lower volatility. Performance of stock market underwent improvement, after being presses for about three months, under 400 points, the composite share Price Index (HISG) raised into 451.6 points. In connection with that case, the value of market capitalization/increased around 14% contrasted that of previous month. The stable rate of rupiah exchange and the falling down of money circulation didn’t have enough power to halt the inflation speed caused among others by price boost of oil energy, the basic cost of electricity, and uncontrolled prices of daily consumption mainly rice. On January 2002, the inflation rate reached 1.99%, so that the total inflation rate in a year obtained 14.42%.
The rate of rupiah exchange was closed by Rp11.320 per US Dollar at the end of January 2002. It was slight better than the rate of prior month namely Rp10,400 per US Dollar. During last four months, the rate of rupiah exchange was relatively stable.
The development of transportation services is directed to improving the efficiency and accountability of transportation services in general, in the aspects of maintenance and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructures and to add to the transportation services. Meanwhile, to develop the scope of transportation services, the activities in the remote area are carried out with subsidy, considering the need of the operation of land, sea and air transportation.
To continue the restructuring program, the government has made studies and reformed the policy, organized institutions, reviewed transportation regulations and improved the human resources in the transportation sector.
In 2000, the number of domestically assembled motor vehicles was 128 million units. This is an increase of 92.75 percent compared to the of the previous year.
Railway in Indonesia is found only in Java and Sumatra; other islands do not have any railroad facilities. In 2000, the number of railway passengers in Java was 188 million. This is an increase of 19.75 percent compared to 1999. In Sumatra people travelling by train leaved increased by 18.8 percent, from 3.3 million in 1999 to 3.9 million in 2000.
Railway freight transported in Java was 5.9 million tons and the average distance per ton travelled 218 km per ton in 2000. In Sumatra, these figures reached 13.6 million tons and 272 km per ton, thus the total freight was 19.5 million tons and average distance 256 km per ton compared to the previous year. The railway freight transported in Java increased by 11.19 percent, while the average distance decreased by 6.03 percent. The railway freight handled in Sumatra decreased by 2.41 percent while the average distance of freight transported was the same with that of 1999. The total railway freight increased by 1.34 percent and the average to freight transported decreased 1.92 percent.
In 1999, volume of international loaded sea cargo reached 139.3 million tons, which is increased by 4.22 percent from that of 1998. International unloaded sea cargo declined from 47.14 million tons in 1998 to 43.48 million tons in 1999. The volume of loaded cargo was bigger than the unloaded cargo going on international ocean liners. It is different with inter-island cargo. The volume of inter-island loaded cargo was 113.63 million tons or an increase by 0.13 percent in 1999. The seven areas with the most loaded cargo were East Java, Riau, East Kalimantan, West Java, Central Java, South Kalimantan and DKI Jakarta. Air Transport
In 2000, the number of aircraft of the government owned airlines and those of the private sector decreased from 910 units to 512 units. This shows a decreased of 43.74% compared to 1999.
Government airline services for domestic and international flights cover scheduled flights only. In 2000, the number of departures was approximately at 55.9 thousand, a decrease of 47.32 percent compared to that 1999.
In 2000, private airline services of domestic flights were estimated to decrease by 44.56 percent compared to 1999.
At the same time, domestic departures were recorded around 258.200 flights and the arrivals 357.796 flights. It is an increase of 12% and 27% respectively compared to that of the previous year.
In 2000, the number of international departures was 38,324 flights and 37,796 flights for arrival aircraft. That means that departure flights increased by 7% and arrivals increased by 4% in 1999. Foe the same period, departing, arriving, and transit passengers increased by 2.36 percent, 2.62 percent and 27.00 percent respectively.
In the sector of telecommunication, during the past year the Government continually carried out deregulation of the factors, which slow down investment, production, distribution and trade, and encourage telecommunications to be competitive and transparent by wiping out the practice of monopoly and unhealthy competition based on Act no. 36 of 1999 to replacing Act no. 3 of 1998.
In an effort to utilize the convergence of technology of telecommunication and information to support the economic sector, the government has formed the Telecommunication Coordination Team of Indonesia (TKTI) by Presidential Decree no. 50/2000. Hopefully this team can develop the telematics, progress and business competitiveness.
To support the implementation of Law no. 36 of the year 1999, effective as of September 2000, the Government is preparing the supporting regulations. The Government regulations being prepared include Government Regulation of Interconnection, Government Regulations of Frequency and Satellite Orbit, Cyber Law and Government Regulation on the Implementation of Telecommunication, besides the regulation on tariff and network interconnection and long-term completion in connection with KSO. To support the implementation of competitive telecommunication, PT. Telkom and PT. Indosat should restructure their business by reducing the joint ownership in a number of affiliate companies. To increase transparency, the government will also carry out special audit to PT. Telkom.
The number of fixed-line customers at the of 2001 totalled 7.2 million. It means the country’s teledensity was around three (3) percent. At the same time the number of people who have gone wireless totalled 6.57 million, almost double the 3.67 million users in 2000. In 1996, the number of users was just 567,000.
It is believed that cellular phone users will soon out number fixed-line customers. Information and Mass Media
The role of communications, information and mass media in Indonesia is essential to advancing the intellectual life of the people. It can help maintain and strengthen unity and integrity of the nation.
Mass media can not only present entertainment but also act as agent of social control. Speaking in terms of human civilization today, a community can hardly make any progress without mass-media as mass media is no more just the source of news, but has developed towards one of the forces which are molding public opinion and functioning as mass educator.
In the era of Reform Order Government, communications, information and mass media show a substantial progress. Particularly mass media, it enjoys what is called freedom of the press, which it is indeed guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution in Article 28 which stipulated that “Freedom of association and assembly, or expressing thoughts and of issuing writings and the like, shall be arranged by statutes”. As a result of the Press Act No. 40 of 1999 was promulgated. The Press
Nowadays, they are full-pledge enterprises and big businesses. In 1999 there were 1,687 national and regional publications, compared to 871 in 1978, or increase by 484%. Contributory factor to such significant increase was procedural simplifications to obtain publishing license. Unlike in the past, now there is no state control or censorship of the newspaper and the periodical press, although newspaper proprietors, editors and journalist are subject to the laws in the same way as any other citizens.
Of the total number, 1,687 in 1999, 1,149 publications (consisting of dailies, weeklies, weekly-, monthly- and three-monthly magazines, and bulletins) were found in Java Island, 240 in Sumatra Island, 49 in Kalimantan, 173 in Sulawesi, 33 in Nusatenggara and Bali Islands, and 24 in Maluku and Papua Islands. At the same time, there were 160 daily newspapers in Java, 72 in Sumatra, 15 in Nusatenggara, and Bali Islands, 15 in Kalimantan, 24 in Sulawesi and 9 in Maluku and Papua. The most popular national daily paper is the Jakarta-based Kompas daily. Other major national daily papers are Suara Pembaharuan, Media Indonesia, Republika, Sinar Harapan, Tempo and the Jakarta Post.
In referring to the government regulation (PP) No. 37 of 2000, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) came into a new era structurally and systematically through managerial dedication as public services. Hence in 2002, RRI revised the policy it as a public broadcast station, which is independent, neutral, and professional.
In multiplied capacity, it can reach almost 80% Indonesia territory. So far, RRI poses frequency system on 52 stations in through regions. Percentage of RRI broadcast consists of 40% talk show, 10% information, 20% entertainment, and 30% newscast. RRI also owns a special transmitter namely Suara Indonesia (Voice of Indonesia) broadcast in 10 languages. Site: http/www.rri online.com.
Now enjoying the status of Shareholder Company the Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) has networks in the whole country and some neighbour states, possesses 22 broadcast stations spreading in all provinces including Jakarta, the Capital of Indonesia. It is provided with 395 transmitters.
Besides TVRI, there are some private televisions namely RCTI, SCTV, TPI, Indosiar, Metro TV, TV-7, La TV, AN TV, and Global TV.
After producing tens and even hundreds a year in 1980s and early years of 1990s, the national film enterprises produced only a few films a year in the last five years. Chief contributory factor to be substantial reduction in film production is prolonged economic crisis.
State Ministry of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia
The State Ministry’s vision is the creation of information minded society that has ethics, scientific basis, and is independent, participative, competitive, and prosperous.
In realizing its visions, it has missions:
- To formulate policies in the field of communication and information that guarantee fulfilling of the need of information evenly and improving of life quality of democratic Indonesian people.
- To improve the quality of public services through making use and developing of communication and information technology.
- To expand range capacity of communication and information, through optimalization of available means to encourage community participation in the context of the strengthening national unity and integrity.
- To help smooth running of communication and information flow in transparency, ethically and responsibility manners as one of efforts to develop the nation’s intellectual life.
- To encourage community’s competitive edge through making use and developing of communication and information technology and to develop the quality, quantity, and the efficiency of human resources in the field of communication and information.
- To help enhancing self-reliance of communication and information’s industries through active coordination by synergic manners with related institutions.
- To take active role as server of accurate and reliable information and as disseminator of it to all layers of society, to make it capable of creating a good governance.
Country Information Officer (CIO)
As CIO it has roles as agent of: · Coordinating the dissemination of information from government institutions. · Encouraging the mass media in issuing and broadcasting objective reports and news. · Facilitating and evaluating broadcasting.
In the field of telematics the Ministry has programs: · To follow up telematics development and its efficiency that has been already prepared by the Indonesian Telematic Coordination Team. · To optimize the usage of available means (digitally macro wave, sea cable communication system). · To coordinate and drive synergy of various application and network systems. · To develop human resources (in the field of manufacture and standardization, telematics, and statutory-regulations).
The Indonesian National Information Agency (LIN)
Presidential Decree No. 16 and No. 103 Year 2001 stipulate that LIN is responsible for formulation of national policy in the field of information. Its main tasks are as follows: a. Study, and to formulate national policy in the field of information b. Research, and to develop a national information system to support the government administration and development c. Coordinate all activities in the implementation of tasks of LIN d. Facilitate the information flows among the government institutions in the national administration e. Supply and to disseminate general information, government policies and regulations to the public, and to get feedback from the public. f. Supervise the implementation of tasks by LIN apparatus g. Provide administrative supports to the LIN management (man, money, material, etc).
LIN is headed by a Head of LIN with 3 Deputies, one Executive Secretary, and one inspector. Each Deputy supervises 4 Directors, while the secretary supervises 3 Bureaus. Each Director or Bureaus supervises 4 Divisions, and in turn, each Division has 3 to 4 staff in his/her chain of command.
Based on the Presidential Decree No. 16 year 2001, LIN is authorized: a. to establish a master plan in the field of information at the national level, b. to formulate the policy in support of the development at the national level, c. to provide information on services and regulations provided by the government bodies.
LIN has launched one of its products, i.e. National Information Gateway Indonesia.go.id (Portal Informasi Nasional) at http://www.info-ri.com, as an effort to optimize the development of channels with search engine. The channels present: · Info Republic · Law and Regulation Information · Government Policy · News · Information · Directory Information
Labour Force Participants Rates (LFPRs) total member and competition of manpower will change in a row with demographic process. In 2000, there were 141.2 million manpower, then about 61.47% of them resided in Java Island.
Manpower who was in economically active is called labour force. A labour force participation rate is the member of population who was classified as labour force for every 100 manpowers.
Indonesia labour force participants rates has a little increase from 67.22% in 1999 to 67.76% in 2000. The increasing of Indonesia LFPRs was caused by the improvement of human resources quality and the woman have role outside household. LFPRs are very by island, the lowest is 62.75% for Sulawesi moreover 66.99% for Java, 68.54% for Sumatra, 70.94% for Kalimantan and the highest is 75.58% for other island (consist of Bali province, West Nusa Tenggara Province, East Nusa Tenggara Province and Irian Jaya Province.
Vision and mission of women empowerment development and improvement of children welfare and protection are based on what the 1999 Guidelines of State Policy and Act No. 25 outline.
The vision is to endeavour, an equal and just in gender, improve children welfare and secure protection in life of family, society and nation, while the mission is to carry out effort to strive improvement of women life quality, the women empowerment developments aims to motivate the socialization of an equal and just in gender. It also means to eliminate of all kinds of acts of violence to women, enforcement of Human rights (HAM) for women, improvement of children welfare and protection, and better capacity and improvement of autonomous women institutions and organizations and children care.
The advancement of Indonesia women indicated by the wider and more various roles women are holding not only in their families but also in the society.
In line with intensifying of those roles and statutes, State Ministry for Women empowerment, initiated to draft a main plan on National Development of Women Empowerment (RIPNASPP) 2000-2004.
Their goal of this draft is to get in put as much as possible information on the role of women so that their aspirations and interests in society can be accommodated for a commitment that applied.
The achievements of women as follows;
For the 2002 fiscal year, each of the agricultural, forestry, marine and fishery sector obtains a big portion in the state budget. This means that the government has big plans to be realized by these sectors. Indonesia is an agricultural country; around 72.5% of the total areas of 47 million hectares are used for agriculture. The land for estates comprises around 16.5 million hectares; arable dry land is approximately 12.8 million hectares. Land used for brackish and fresh water ponds cover only 0.5 million and 0.2 million hectares respectively.
The development of agriculture, including animal husbandry and plantation, is carried out by empowering the farmers and the rural communities, by providing capital assistance for them to buy seed fertilizer and pesticide.
The production of food crops in 2000 still showed an increased compared to that of the previous year. Although the harvest area of rice decreased, the harvest showed an increased of 0.62%, reaching 51.18 million tons. The production of wet field rice increased around 0.12%. The increased of production is in line with the increase of productivity. The productivity of rice was 42.52 quintals per hectare, or an increase of 3.69%.
The development of estate crops in this country tends to increase by the year. What is referred to as estate corps are the coconut, cotton, sugar cane, rubber, palm oil, cocoa, tea, coffee, tobacco and cinchona.
The production of rubber, palm oil, palm kernel, and coffee estate increased by 8.99%, 6.03%, 3.12% and 3.64% respectively. Cocoa increased sharply by 26.66% from 58.9 thousand to 74.6 thousand tons of the annual crops included in the large estate corps are the sugar cane, tobacco and jute (Rosella). In 2000, the planted area of sugar cane increased by 0.75% while its production increased by 9.72% compare to that in the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, the planted areas of tobacco and jute relatively stayed the same, but their production increased by 8.62% and 17.39% respectively.
In 2000 the total number of the large livestock, milk cow, cow, buffalo and horse, noted an increase. The highest increase was that of the horse population (6.86%). Most of the large livestock farms are located in Java.
In 2000 the small livestock, consisting of goat, sheep and pig, showed an increase of 3.42%, 3.13% and 3.13% respectively, compared to that of 1999.
The development of forestry is aimed at improving the efficiency of logging and forestry. It is designed to complement the conservative forest processing system that supports the interest of the local population, develop conservation and protection of forest resources. It is also meant to speed up the process of conflict solution in the area and forest which is community based.
Based on their functions, the forest in Indonesia is put in three categories: protection forest, production forest, and park and reservation forest. The total area of protection forest reaches 33.5 million hectares or about 29.86% of the entire area of forest; production forest reaches 66.3 million hectares consisting of 35.2 million hectares of limited production forest, 23.1 million hectares of non-convertible forest and 8.1 million hectares on convertible production forest. The total area of parks and reservation forest is 20.5 million hectares.
In an effort to conserve the availability of forest in Indonesia, the government is carrying out a reforestation program, During budget year 1999-2000 the realization of forested areas covered 13.8 thousand hectares, meaning that 83.25% of the reforestation program has been realized.
MARITIME AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES
The sector of maritime affairs and fisheries is one of many competitive products. It is not only useful for economic recovery but also can push the distribution of people welfare. For encouraging of this sector, Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries had launched a work program for the years of 2000-2002.
The goals will be gained in the year of 2004 are: Export of fishery amount to US$ 5 billion; contribution for The Gross Domestic Product (PDB) by 5%; the non-tax revenue of government from fishing amount to Rp 295 billion; the potential contribution for the real income of local government total US$ 532 million from keeping and developing of fishery (budidaya perikanan) and sum of US$ 120 million from the fishing activity;
The program taken namely:
a. On fishery of fishing, the policy will carried out as follows:
b. On fishery of keeping and developing, it is held through aqua business system as follows:
c. In the frame work of quality improvement and extra value of product, it is held as follows:
d. Developing the marketing of fishery products, it is carried out by the following points:
e. Utilization of small islands for the sale of economic interest and conservation as maritime tourism.
It is executed by considering the local authority in managing those small islands and anticipating the conflict potentialities between the investors and local people.
2. Intensifying the welfare of community in coastal areas, maritime affairs and fisheries, mainly fishermen, and fish keeper and developer in small scale.
The program is held as follows:
a. Magnifying access to the source of capital. b. Developing insurance of fishermen. c. Increasing access to technology and management. d. Broadening access to the market and information. e. Developing pattern of partnership business.
In connecting with these activities, it is developed the program of coastal community economic empowerment and another schemas like a program of capital supply, taking advantage from state owned. Company by 5%. Those empowerment programs represent an access in reaching the goal of using the potential for economic growth and releasing the fishermen from the trap of poverty.
3. Managing the environment of fish water (lake, river, pond etc) coastal areas, small islands, and sea.
The program consist of:
a. Restructuring the areas and controlling the contamination. b. Rehabilitating the conservation areas. c. Enrichment of the stock. d. Managing the conservation areas. e. Mitigation of the natural disasters. f. Managing the integrated coastal areas.
4. Raising the role of sea as an adhesive capacity of national integrity and maritime culture.
The program is taken namely:
a. Integrating the science and technology of maritime affairs and fisheries as a subject at school. b. Intensifying the education, training and extension on science and technology and maritime management and fishing for the community. c. Presenting the better incentive economy and society for the young generation on the sectors of maritime affairs and fisheries. d. Campaign and advocacy of the program, “Your Sea, my sea, is one”.
The number of population (excluding Aceh and Maluku), age 7-24 years who were still attending school in year 2000 was 42,993,631 (22,2322234 males and 20,761,397 females). Some 55.28 percent ages 7-12 years, 23.38 percent 13-15 years, 15.31 percent ages 16-18 years and 6.03 percent age 19-24 years.
Throughout the country there were 150.612 primary schools with 1.141.168 teachers and 25.614836 pupils. Meanwhile in the lower secondary education level there are 20.866 schools with 441.174 teachers and 7.600.093 pupils. The number of lower secondary education level pupils increased by 0.47%. The number of higher secondary level rose by 2.03% counter balanced with 0.71% increasing teachers. It excludes the 1.71% increase of pupils entering technical school, with 2.36% increase of school and 0.93% of teachers. Meanwhile, the number of tertiary education students registered in some 76 higher learning institutions was 1,467,867 with 52,963 lectures.
In the year of 2001, the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia via 13 entrances rose by 1.0%, in contrasted to that of the previous year. Meanwhile on December 2001, there were 309.000 tourists that mean they increased by 1.9% compared to the prior month. During the year of 2001, the total of foreign tourists reached 4.2 million. The foreign tourists entering through gates of Soekarno-Hatta Airport and Batam increased respectively 1.9% and 1.0%, and those who coming in through Ngurah Rai Airport Crate declined about 3.1%.
“Pasar Wisata” Tourism Indonesia:
“Pasar Wisata” Tourism Indonesia Mart is annually held on 3-7 September, in Jakarta. As a trade expo, “Pasar Wisata” aims to link those who know about Indonesia’s tourism opportunities with those who want to know. Most of Indonesia’s 30 provinces will be well represented.
Organized by the tourism industry together with the Jakarta City Government, the even offers tour packages and exotic eco-tourism options, a world-class tropical underwater world, superb beaches, internationally recognized hotels and convention venues and adventurous tours.
All visitors to Indonesia must be in possession of passport valid for at least six month with proof of onward passage, either return or through tickets.
Visas are required except for the nationals of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, and Greece.
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, and Taiwanese holding MFA/M passport.
The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference, which has received official approval.
The visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekan Baru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), El-Tari (Kupang), Supardjo (Pontianak), Sepinggan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanudin (Ujung Pandang), Selaparang (Mataram) and Frans Kasiepo (Biak) and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta),Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padang Bai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan. For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas.
For others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained from any Indonesia embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged.
Out if 12 types of mining commodities, two of them, oil and gas, have a significant role in the country’s economy. Oil production in 2000 declined by about 6.36% compared to that of 1999, or from 495.5 million barrel to 464 million. Gas production decreased from 3,063.7 million Mscf to 2,432.2 million Mscf.
Electricity, Gas & Drinking Water
Most electricity used in Indonesia is supplied by State-owned Electricity Company (PLN) and the rest by private companies. In 2000, installed capacity was 22,780 thousand MWh, producing 90,732 thousand MWh.
Total electricity sold in the same year was 77,328 thousand MWh. Installed capacity of the State-owned Electricity Company kept on increasing during the last five years, with annual 10.62% increase.
There are nine state gas companies operating in this country, produce 1,781,073 cubic meters in 2000.
The number of established producing drinking water in 2000 was 477. Total drinking water distributed to consumers at the same time was only about 1,808 million cubic meters (excluding that distributed by small companies).
One of the programs of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2002, which is based on Law No. 25 of 2000 concerning the National Development Program (PROPENAS) 2002-2004, gives the instruction to reduce fund subsidy in energy sector gradually until the end of the year, so that the fund subsidy can be allocated to develop people welfare, i.e. Program to cope with the Impact of Fund Subsidy Reduction in Energy Sector to Health Sector (PD-PSE-BK).
The aim of the program is to help group of poor & susceptible people as a complement activity and implemented through Social Safety Net Program (including Social Safety Net in Health Sector, JPS-BK)
This program has been implemented since 1996 and by the launching of the PD-PSE program, it is hoped that the poor and susceptible people are still have right to be healthy.
In health sector, the target of this program will only receive health service, not a direct fund; for example the hospital preparatory to give service with free-charge, the Puskesmas (community medical center) preparatory to give generic medicine to patient of poor family who need medical treatment by using healthy card, and giving vaccination with free of charge to baby from Gakin family. Gakin is health service for poor family.
Another program which is aimed to improve a healthy behaviour and environment of Indonesian people is “Toward a Healthy Indonesia 2010” program, containing 20 principles of health living and described in:
- Basic message of mother and Child Healthy
- Basic message Food and Nutrition
- Basic message Environment Health
- Basic message Life Style
- Basic message Health Participation.
The National Development Program (Propenas) 2000- 2004 emphasizes that science and technology (S & T) is expected to take role in the acceleration of the economical recovery, strengthen the foundation of sustainable and equitable development, as well as the development of cultural strength and society welfare.
The Ministry for Research and Technology has committed to apply the mandate of Guidelines of State Policy and Propenas regarding the mastery of science and technology, in order to strengthen the national economy and improve the society welfare. These also are in line with the six programs of Kabinet Gotong Royong especially connected to the efforts to strengthen the national economy by optimally exploit the science and technology resources available. To achieve the above contributions, the Ministry for Research and Technology utilizes an instrument i.e. the Strategic Policy Of National Science And Technology Development 2000-2004 (Jakstra Ipteknas).
Spelling out the Jakstra Ipteknas, the programs of the Ministry for Research and Technology are poured into seven priority programs to be applied as the basic policy by the Ministry. The achievements of performance in year 2001 are explained in those seven programs.
Some programs in the efforts to improve the science and technology culture and capability have been implemented; among others the Integrated Priority Research Program, the International Integrated Priority Research Program, the Partnership Integrated Priority Research Program and the Selective Research Program for Social Science and Humanities. Other noticeable program is the development of Eijkman Bio Molecular Institution. This institution has conducted some research and development in health and medical. The Ministry for Research and Technology has also applied the Project of Research Science and Technology for Development Evaluation. This program is supported by BMBF (Ministry for Research and Technology of Germany).
In Addition to incentive research program, the Office of Research and Technology has also conducted the incentive scheme for nurturing and utilizing Science and Technology, such as the Center for Intellectual Property Right (Sentra HKI), OLEH Paten, Center of Technology Promotion and Marketing (Sentra Promptek), Incentive for strengthening of Technology Promotion Marketing (SIPTEKMan) and Information Technology Kiosk (WARINTEK).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Home | What's New | Policy | Economic | Consular | About Embassy | About Indonesia |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Learning Indonesian | Links | Events in Pictures | Contact Us | Lapor Diri | Undangan | Press Release| Pemberitahuan |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright©2003 The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia-Wellington
Last modified: 16-02-2004