President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Indonesia has successfully managed its transition toward democracy, which started in 1998, a success he attributed to a collective effort involving the people and the government.
“The social conflicts in Maluku, West Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Papua(huh??) 
and Aceh were successfully handled and solved through a joint
understanding for the sake of the state’s unity,” Yudhoyono said, as
quoted by presidential adviser on regional development and autonomy
Velix Wanggai in a press release sent out on Thursday.
Velix
said that the president saw Indonesia’s grand idea of nationalism,
social integration, harmony and Bhineka Tunggal Ika, or Unity in
Diversity, as a collective language that should be embraced by all
citizens. The president also stressed that the country was founded on
tolerance, justice, social virtues and the supremacy of the law.
“President
SBY recently said that if we don’t want to see the arbitrary use of
power, all of us who have power must prevent ourselves from abusing
power,” said Velix, adding that the president also encouraged all
citizens to lead a polite, ethical and peaceful democratic life — a
crucial foundation for democracy.
The president last month called
on Indonesians to aspire to the qualities personified by the Prophet
Muhammad in order to achieve social harmony.
Speaking to
thousands of Muslims attending an event to mark the birthday of the
prophet, Yudhoyono said that these qualities were most needed now, ahead
of the 2014 legislative and presidential elections and all their
attendant issues and controversies.
“We have to aspire to the example set by the prophet, who led a diverse group of people,” he said.
He
added that history showed that although Muhammad had followers from a
wide range of backgrounds, he still managed to keep the peace among them
and prevent their differences from spilling over into violence.
The
president said the same spirit of solidarity amid diversity was needed
in the run-up to the polls, which in the past have proved fractious and
polarizing.
Comments
He makes a good stand up comedian - he can deliver hilarious lines with a straight face.
Things are better than they were under Soeharto for sure, this has to be stated at the outset, but that's not saying much really. In terms of democratic input, the elections aren't fixed any more but they may as well be. Democracy should amount to more than just ticking a box every 5 years, and this applies to Western countries too, where democracy is increasingly being sold to the highest bidders. There are signs of greater democracy emerging here, such as grass roots activism and the nascent labour movement, however these exist in spite of the criminal elite class that continues to screw country rather than because of anything they have done in office. Indeed, if Prabowo gets in, the military will be intimidating and probably murdering activists in ways far more brutal than the Munir orange juice approach.
Just how delusional can this fool get
Actually I don't what you call the political system here but it is not democracy. Democracy at least has the pretense of allowing the average person a degree of representation and faith that their government is acting in their best interests. Democracy...nagh..Robber Baron heaven complete with serfs..maybe
Certainly been a success for Yudhoyono and the rest of the criminals running the country.
Every democratic country has flaws but the ongoing religious conflicts should not have been a hurdle in the democratic process of this nation. Therefore calling it a full democratic success is still questionable. Why would people always use religious epithets to get a message across when religious minorities are still persecuted per se. Apparently, this is more about the democratic undertone success for the upcoming election process.
it has been hard work to turn the country around as it is today, what indonesia back then was from very much as what malaysia is today with top the rank for illicit money flowing out. Indonesia needs to apply pressure on malaysia and singapore to let their people to decide, instead of creepy old ideas refuse to reform..