Indonesia first held democratic elections in 1999, under the leadership of then president B.J. Habibie. The elections were a watershed moment in the country’s history, finally ushering in a democratically elected government after more than four decades of authoritarian rule.
The transition to democracy was not without its challenges, however. In the lead-up to the elections, there was significant violence and unrest, as rival factions battled for control of the country. The elections themselves were also marred by allegations of fraud and voter intimidation.
Nevertheless, the election of 1999 was a significant step forward for Indonesia, and it has been largely peaceful and democratic ever since. In recent years, Indonesia has emerged as a model for democracy in the region, and is often cited as an example of a successful Muslim-majority democracy.
Contents
- 1 When did democracy start in Indonesia?
- 2 What year did Indonesia hold their first direct presidential elections?
- 3 How often are elections in Indonesia?
- 4 Who introduced guided democracy in Indonesia?
- 5 Was Indonesia a communist country?
- 6 Who was the first president of Indonesia?
- 7 Who runs the elections in Indonesia?
When did democracy start in Indonesia?
When did democracy start in Indonesia?
Democracy in Indonesia started in the early 2000s, when the country held its first direct presidential election. In this election, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won with over 60% of the vote.
However, democracy in Indonesia actually has a long history. The first democratic elections in the country were held in 1955, when the people of Indonesia voted in a parliamentary election.
Since then, Indonesia has gone through a number of different democratic phases. In the 1970s and 1980s, for example, the country was under the control of a military dictatorship. However, in 1998, the people of Indonesia overthrew the dictatorship and held democratic elections.
Since then, Indonesia has been a democracy, with regular elections taking place at all levels of government.
What year did Indonesia hold their first direct presidential elections?
On June 7, 1999, Indonesia held its first direct presidential elections. The election was held in order to replace the late Suharto, who had been president since 1967. In order to run for president, a candidate needed to have the support of either 20% of the members of parliament or 25,000 citizens. Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of Indonesia’s first president, won the election with 33% of the vote.
How often are elections in Indonesia?
Indonesia has a presidential system, with elections every five years. There are also regional and district elections, which are held every five years as well.
Who introduced guided democracy in Indonesia?
Guided democracy is a system of government in which the people are allowed a certain degree of say in how they are governed, but in which the government is ultimately controlled by a small group of people. It was first introduced in Indonesia in 1997, and has been used there ever since.
The roots of guided democracy can be traced back to the early days of the Republic of Indonesia. In 1945, when Indonesia declared its independence from the Dutch, the country was in a state of chaos. There was no clear system of government, and different groups were competing for power. In an effort to bring order to the country, Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, introduced a system called guided democracy.
Under Sukarno’s system, the people were given a certain amount of say in how they were governed, but the government was ultimately controlled by Sukarno and his inner circle. This system was unpopular with the people, and in 1965 Sukarno was overthrown by a military coup.
After Sukarno was overthrown, the military dictatorship of General Suharto took control of Indonesia. Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than 30 years, and during his time the country was effectively a one-party state.
In 1997, after Suharto had been overthrown and Indonesia was in the midst of a political and economic crisis, the people voted in a new president, BJ Habibie. Habibie was a proponent of guided democracy, and he introduced a new system of government that was based on this concept.
Under Habibie’s system, the people are given a greater say in how they are governed, but the government is still ultimately controlled by the president and his cabinet. This system has been used in Indonesia ever since, and has been generally successful.
There have been a few periods of political instability, most notably in 1998-99 when there was a series of riots and uprisings, but overall Indonesia has been relatively stable under the guidance of Habibie and his successors.
Was Indonesia a communist country?
The answer to the question of whether Indonesia was a communist country is not a straightforward one. Indonesia had a large communist party, the PKI, and there were certainly elements of communist ideology present in the country’s politics. However, Indonesia never formally became a communist state.
The PKI was founded in 1920 and, by the time of the Indonesian Revolution in 1945-49, it had become the largest communist party in Southeast Asia. However, the party was never particularly influential in Indonesian politics. In the early 1950s, President Sukarno tried to build a “Third Way” between capitalism and communism, and the PKI was not favoured by the government.
In 1965, a military coup led by General Suharto took place, and the PKI was brutally suppressed. Suharto and his allies subsequently ruled Indonesia as a dictatorship for the next three decades. While Indonesia never became a full-fledged communist state, the period of Suharto’s rule was characterised by heavy-handed suppression of all forms of dissent, as well as close ties to the Soviet Union and other communist states.
Who was the first president of Indonesia?
The first president of Indonesia was Sukarno, who was inaugurated on 17 August 1945. He was initially appointed as prime minister of the republic, before being elected as the first president in 1955.
Sukarno was born on 6 June 1901 in Surabaya, East Java. He studied at the prestigious School of Economics in Bandung, and went on to become a leader in the Indonesian independence movement. Sukarno was a charismatic and highly effective leader, and is credited with helping to unite the diverse Indonesian people during the struggle for independence.
After independence was achieved, Sukarno quickly established himself as the leader of the new republic. He ruled with a strong hand, and was often criticised for his authoritarianism. However, he was also widely respected for his courage and determination, and is considered to be one of the founding fathers of modern Indonesia.
Sukarno remained president of Indonesia until he was overthrown in a military coup in 1965. He died in custody in 1970.
Who runs the elections in Indonesia?
Who Runs the Elections in Indonesia?
The process of electing a president and members of parliament in Indonesia is a complex one, involving a number of institutions and actors. This article provides an overview of who runs the elections in Indonesia.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) is the main institution responsible for organising and conducting elections in Indonesia. It is a nonpartisan institution that is composed of seven members, who are appointed by the president. The KPU has a number of responsibilities, including setting the date of elections, registering political parties and candidates, and ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.
The KPU is assisted in its work by a number of other institutions, including the National Elections Committee (Komnas), which is responsible for monitoring the elections and reporting any violations; the Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), which is responsible for investigating electoral fraud and other irregularities; and the General Elections Secretariat (Setjen), which is responsible for the administration of the elections.
The main actors in the election process are the political parties and the candidates. Political parties are registered with the KPU and can contest the elections by fielding candidates in the various constituencies. Candidates must be registered with the KPU and must also meet certain requirements, such as being a citizen of Indonesia and being at least 25 years old.
The elections are conducted in two rounds. The first round is held to elect the president and members of parliament. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round, a second round is held to elect the president. The second round is also held to elect the members of parliament in the constituencies where no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first round.
The elections are conducted through a system of direct voting. Voters cast their ballots for individual candidates, and the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency is elected.
The elections are a complex process, involving a number of institutions and actors. However, the KPU is the main institution responsible for organising and conducting the elections, and it is responsible for ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.