Returning to Leadership? Indonesia’s New Role in the ASEAN

This book portrays Indonesia’s return to the political stage of the ASEAN with commitment not witnessed since the days of former President Suharto (1966-1998) who made his country the primus inter pares in the ASEAN. The group’s initiatives reflected Indonesia’s foreign policy interests considerably, encouraging Jakarta to develop a regional claim for leadership. The 1997-98 regional economic and financial crisis terminated Suharto’s New Order Regime, and forced the new democratic administrations to shift their focus to domestic issues, therefore curtailing Indonesia’s traditional role in the ASEAN. This book traces new developments in Indonesia’s role in the ASEAN after Suharto’s dismissal and the regional crisis in 1997/98, guided by the question of how Indonesia has profited and will profit of its current membership in the ASEAN. It is to provide an analysis of Indonesia’s role in the regional organization, from Suharto until the present Megawati Administration.