Der Präsident spricht: Indonesien 1990

Abstract After 25 years in power Suharto has become a charismatic figure in Indonesia. The annual speech on National Independence Day provokes detailed public discussion as to the political significance of individual members of the nomenclatura, trends in power play and general political topics of the following year. In this article selected quotations from Suharto’s speech on August 17th, 1990 are contrasted with Indonesian reality as expressed by gossip and the media: human rights, social upheavals and autonomist endeavours, economic disparities and poverty, as well as development policy and the hopes for an economic take-off, the decentralization of the administration and local autonomy, and, finally, the possibilities of a change in the presidency and political openness. The present-day situation is circumscribed by Karto Wijoyo as follows: "If nothing else, the rhetoric of "openness" has helped shine some light on just how few political rights the Indonesian people enjoy and the magnitude of the struggle ahead." Although that struggle takes place mainly among the elite, it still is an important step forward. However, appeals to humanist ideals will have to be substantiated by an active engagement for the rights of the people, grass root activities, human rights groups, and free unions.