Sejarah Awal Masa Reformasi Indonesia

Summary

In 1998, after 32 years in power, the New Order regime in Indonesia fell, marking the beginning of the Reformasi era. Triggered by a financial crisis and worsening social unrest, including widespread protests and violence, the country's economy spiraled, leading to President Soeharto's eventual resignation. The IMF imposed economic reforms, while demands for political change, including anti-corruption and leadership succession, grew. Following student protests and escalating violence, Soeharto resigned on May 21, 1998, and was replaced by BJ Habibie, ending the era of New Order rule and ushering in a period of significant political and social transformation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fall of the Orde Baru regime marked the beginning of Indonesia's reform era in 1998, after more than 32 years of rule.
• 😀 The 1997 Asian financial crisis, which began in Thailand, severely impacted Indonesia, causing the Rupiah to weaken from 2,500 IDR to 17,000 IDR per USD.
• 😀 Indonesia sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 1997, agreeing to economic reforms including subsidy cuts and bank closures.
• 😀 The economic crisis led to widespread company bankruptcies, mass layoffs (PHK), and significant social unrest, including anti-Chinese riots in early 1998.
• 😀 In the 1997 elections, Golkar secured 74.5% of the vote, but this result was seen as illegitimate by opposition forces, leading to a rise in anti-Soeharto sentiment.
• 😀 Students and opposition groups organized large-scale protests in 1998, demanding economic relief, anti-corruption measures, and political reforms, including a leadership succession.
• 😀 On May 4, 1998, the government raised fuel and electricity prices, further escalating protests and economic discontent.
• 😀 President Soeharto attempted to quell the unrest by invoking military force and requesting calm, but violence and protests only intensified.
• 😀 The reform movement's six key agendas included leadership succession, amendments to the 1945 Constitution, eradicating corruption, ending the dual function of the military, enforcing the rule of law, and implementing regional autonomy.
• 😀 The tragic deaths of four students during protests at Trisakti University on May 12, 1998, fueled larger demonstrations and riots across Indonesia, forcing Soeharto to accelerate his resignation plans.
• 😀 On May 21, 1998, Soeharto resigned from the presidency after increasing pressure from the public and political figures, marking the end of the New Order regime and the start of the Reformasi era.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the economic crisis in Indonesia in 1997?

The economic crisis in Indonesia began with the financial turmoil in Thailand in July 1997, which led to a devaluation of the Thai baht and subsequently affected the currencies of several Asian countries, including Indonesia.

What was the position of the Rupiah against the US Dollar in 1997, and how did it change by January 1998?

In 1997, the Rupiah was valued at 2,500 per US Dollar, but by January 1998, it had weakened to around 17,000 per US Dollar.

What conditions were set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for providing assistance to Indonesia?

The IMF assistance to Indonesia came with conditions, including the cessation of subsidies, the closure of 16 private banks, and the implementation of economic policy reforms.

What were the key demands of the student protests in early 1998?

The key demands of the student protests included lowering the prices of basic goods, ending economic monopolies, combating corruption, and nepotism, and advocating for national leadership succession.

How did the Indonesian government respond to the economic crisis in May 1998?

In May 1998, the Indonesian government responded to the crisis by raising the prices of fuel (BBM) and electricity tariffs, which intensified protests and mass demonstrations.

What was the significance of the events on May 12, 1998, at Trisakti University?

On May 12, 1998, four students at Trisakti University were shot and killed during a protest demanding President Soeharto’s resignation. This incident further fueled the nationwide protests.

How did the protests evolve after the May 12 incident?

Following the May 12 incident, protests escalated, leading to riots, looting, and arson in Jakarta and Solo, which forced President Soeharto to return early from a trip to Egypt.

What was the role of the MPR/DPR in the events leading up to President Soeharto’s resignation?

The MPR/DPR played a pivotal role by pressuring President Soeharto to resign. On May 18, 1998, MPR/DPR Chairman Harmoko requested Soeharto’s resignation to resolve the crisis.

What were the outcomes of the protests on May 20, 1998?

On May 20, 1998, with military forces stationed in Jakarta, protests continued across several cities, leading to further demands for Soeharto’s resignation. Eventually, Soeharto resigned on May 21, 1998.

Who succeeded President Soeharto after his resignation, and when did this happen?

After President Soeharto’s resignation on May 21, 1998, Vice President BJ Habibie took over as the President of Indonesia, marking the end of the New Order era and the beginning of the Reformasi era.