Indonesia: A Quick Look

Indonesia can be found just north of Australia. It’s capital is Jakarta, located on the island of Java. There are over 13000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Five thousand of these are inhabited. Indonesia’s population exceeds 220 million with over 100 ethnic and language groups. One must see and experience more than popular tourist destinations like Bali to know and understand Indonesia.

Indonesia is a centrally governed democracy. The nation is ruled by the President and DPR/MPR. It is divided into 28 provinces and special districts. Each province is divided into Kabupaten and Kecamatan. The lowest administrative unit is the Desa, the village. Until President Suharto stood down in May 1998 most real power lay with him, his family and friends. This was backed up by Golkar - the government’s political party.

Indonesians are proud of their nation. Every Monday school students across the nation salute their flag, and sing ‘Indonesia Raya’, the national anthem. They also recite the Pancasila, the five governing principles of the nation.  All things are done in brisk military style - orders, reports and salutes. There is no talking or chatting among the neat rows of students who are all in uniform.

Before gaining independence Indonesia was known as the Netherlands East Indies. This is because the Dutch, over a three hundred year period starting in 1602 had conquered and colonised most of the archipelago. Keep in mind however that at that time Indonesia was in no way a unified nation like today. There was however, well developed trade between the various islands and cultures - even as far as India, China and Arabia. This was suppressed by the European invaders in their quest for monopoly of trade.

The Dutch had initially come in search of spices. Large profits were to be made. Portuguese and British power in the region decreased as the VOC monopoly of trade grew stronger. By 1942 the Dutch were taking many other products back to the Netherlands such as rubber and minerals. In 1942 Japan invaded Indonesia. At first they were greeted as saviours but quickly the Indonesians realised they were as oppressive as the Dutch. In 1945 the Japanese withdrew and Indonesia declared independence on 17th August. 

The Indonesian economy was greatly damaged by the 1997 economic crash. Over thirty years of very stable government ended in 1998 when President Suharto was forced to resign. Since then the nation has been undergoing rapid political change as provinces are given greater autonomy from Jakarta. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono faces many challenges including rebellious provinces, corruption and poverty whilst keeping the nation unified and developing.

Questions / Activities

1. Draw a diagram that shows the various levels of Indonesian government. 2. What is the date of Indonesian Independence day? 3. Learn to sing Indonesia Raya. 4. What are the colours of the Indonesian flag? 5. Why do Indonesians take so much pride in their nation? 6. Do Australians take equal pride in their nation? 7. Over a number of weeks prepare for a Hari Kemerdekaan [Independence Day] with flag raising, national anthem, salutes etc. 8. Ask the Indonesian embassy or Consulate if your class can be involved in 17 August Independence Day activities. 9. Make a volcano. See your science teacher if you need help. 10. Using a map of Indonesia draw in the major islands and capital cities. 11. Memorise the 5 major islands of Indonesia and the provincial capitals located on them. 12. Draw and colour and explain the symbolism of the Indonesian flag. 13. Look up Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (at http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/national/satellite) on the internet. Describe weather conditions in Indonesia for today from what you see on today’s satellite photo. 14. Search for other sites that will give you more accurate weather information for the region. Can you find rainfall statistics? What is the average annual rainfall for the nation? 15. Search for sites that can give you a more general background to Indonesia.

Discussion and Research Questions

16. Incorporate a unit on volcanoes into your study on Indonesia. Look at Krakatau and it’s development [or even less known volcanoes such as Agung and Bromo]. What effects do volcanoes have on people’s lives? 17. What is the difference in roles between the MPR and DPR? 18. Which personalities and parties are in power in Indonesia today? Which way did Indonesia go during the crossroads mentioned in the reading? Inside Indonesia will have relevant articles about this. 19. Southeast Asian nations were colonised by Europeans. On a map mark in which nations were colonised by whom. 20. Which was the only southeast Asian nation not to be colonised? Why? 21. Why were spices such an important item in Europe? 22. How can the proverb “The love of money is the root of all evil” apply to European colonisation around the world? 23. Research rice in Indonesia. Present your findings on a chart. Include rice growing life-cycle, and pictures.