Impact of Regionalism on Contemporary Issues: a Case Study of Indonesia
Impact of Regionalism on contemporary issues: A case study of Indonesia
Regionalism can be defined as, “the principle or system of dividing a city [or] state… into separate administrative regions” (Dictionary.com, 2011, pg.1). Suharto favoured the practice of a central system of administration over regionalism, as he would have total control over the social, economic, and political factors within Indonesia. To achieve this, he used his military power to take over East Timor in 1975, and declared it as the 27th state of Indonesia (Kiernan, 2003).
Similarly, Suharto used military forces to overcome any attempts at creating a separate administration. In 1976, Suharto authorised military forces to supress the rebellion in Aceh; The Free Aceh Movement’s goal of reaching independence went against Suharto’s ideal of a centralised administrative system (Ann, 2009). Furthermore, Suharto’s military forces were authorised to any means necessary in order to maintain this idealised system. To put this into perspective, it is estimated that a quarter of the population in East Timor died during the conflict which occurred between 1974 and 1999 (Kiernan, 2003). Despite its violent nature, Suharto was to some extent successful in maintaining a centralised control amidst various pressures from organisations such as the United Nations on his infringement of human rights (UNHCHR, 1997).
Global Integration
In order to develop Indonesia’s economy, Suharto wanted to integrate with global economic superpowers and also develop close economic ties with the South East Asian nations (Vatikiotis, 2003). Suharto has strong supported for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and sought to integrate Indonesia’s economy on a global basis. In 1994, the APEC members agreed to implement a free trade agreement among the Asian Pacific region by 2010 for industrialised economies such as Japan and Korea, and by 2020 for developing economies such as Indonesia (Bureau of Public
Regionalism can be defined as, “the principle or system of dividing a city [or] state… into separate administrative regions” (Dictionary.com, 2011, pg.1). Suharto favoured the practice of a central system of administration over regionalism, as he would have total control over the social, economic, and political factors within Indonesia. To achieve this, he used his military power to take over East Timor in 1975, and declared it as the 27th state of Indonesia (Kiernan, 2003).
Similarly, Suharto used military forces to overcome any attempts at creating a separate administration. In 1976, Suharto authorised military forces to supress the rebellion in Aceh; The Free Aceh Movement’s goal of reaching independence went against Suharto’s ideal of a centralised administrative system (Ann, 2009). Furthermore, Suharto’s military forces were authorised to any means necessary in order to maintain this idealised system. To put this into perspective, it is estimated that a quarter of the population in East Timor died during the conflict which occurred between 1974 and 1999 (Kiernan, 2003). Despite its violent nature, Suharto was to some extent successful in maintaining a centralised control amidst various pressures from organisations such as the United Nations on his infringement of human rights (UNHCHR, 1997).
Global Integration
In order to develop Indonesia’s economy, Suharto wanted to integrate with global economic superpowers and also develop close economic ties with the South East Asian nations (Vatikiotis, 2003). Suharto has strong supported for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and sought to integrate Indonesia’s economy on a global basis. In 1994, the APEC members agreed to implement a free trade agreement among the Asian Pacific region by 2010 for industrialised economies such as Japan and Korea, and by 2020 for developing economies such as Indonesia (Bureau of Public
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