Page 227 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE
IN INDONESIA

The final step was taken after the 1971 general
election. Following the heavy blow they received
as a result of the election results and constant
“Although all policy pressure from the Government, the nine politi-
makers in the New cal parties finally agreed to merge into two par-
ties. On 5 January 1973, the United Development
Order government Group with Islamic aspirations became the Unit-

were determined by ed Development Party (PPP), while on 10 Janu-
ary 1973, the Development Democracy Group
the bureaucracy rather became the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
than by laws, elections, Since then, Indonesia had a three-party system,
namely Golkar, PPP, and PDI, and this continued
or parliament, the until the 1997 general election.

economic policies In practice, Soeharto’s broad and largely

that were combined in uncontrollable presidential power was used as a

the Pelita (Five-Year legal basis for selecting people of his choice to
occupy strategic positions. It was not surprising
Development) program that he succeeded in controlling the bureaucracy,
were able to make an the military, the legislature, and the judiciary at

incredibly fast economic the same time. Not only that, because there was
no limit to presidential term in the constitution,
recovery.” Soeharto could even be elected six times in a
row as President of the Republic of Indonesia
(1971-1998).

Although all policy makers in the New Order go-
vernment were determined by the bureaucracy
rather than by laws, elections, or parliament, the economic policies that
were combined in the Pelita (Five-Year Development) program were
able to make an incredibly fast economic recovery. What was manifest-
ed first was the sharp decline in inflation and an increase in economic
growth.

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