New Order (Indonesia)

Quick Facts: Who was New Order (Indonesia)?

Subject:

New Order (Indonesia)

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Authoritarian Indonesian regime (1966–1998) under President Suharto, emphasizing order and development.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The New Order (Indonesian: Orde Baru, abbreviated Orba) was the regime of the second Indonesian President Suharto from his rise to power in 1966 until his resignation in 1998. Suharto coined the term upon his accession and used it to contrast his presidency with that of his predecessor Sukarno (retroactively dubbed the "Old Order" or Orde Lama). Immediately following the attempted coup in 1965, the political situation was uncertain, and Suharto's New Order found much popular support from groups wanting a separation from Indonesia's problems since its independence. The 'generation of 66' (Angkatan 66) epitomised talk of a new group of young leaders and new intellectual thought. Following Indonesia's communal and political conflicts, and its economic collapse and social breakdown of the late 1950s through to the mid-1960s, the "New Order" was committed to achieving and maintaining political order, economic development, and the removal of mass participation in the political process.

Career & Major Achievements

The features of the "New Order" established from the late 1960s were thus a strong political role for the military, the bureaucratisation and corporatisation of political and societal organisations, and selective but brutal repression of opponents. Strident anti-communist, anti-socialist, and anti-Islamist doctrine remained a hallmark of the presidency for its subsequent 30 years. Within a few years, however, many of its original allies had become indifferent or averse to the New Order, which comprised a military faction supported by a narrow civilian group. Among most members of the pro-democracy movement that forced Suharto to resign in the May 1998 riots and then gained power, the term "New Order" has come to be used pejoratively. It is frequently employed to describe figures who were either tied to the Suharto period, or who upheld the practises of his authoritarian administration, such as corruption, collusion, and nepotism (widely known by the acronym KKN: korupsi, kolusi, nepotisme).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Sukarno was Indonesia's founding president, a position he had held since the republic's formation in 1945. In 1955, the first general parliamentary elections delivered an unstable parliament, and Sukarno's rule became increasingly autocratic from the late 1950s under his "Guided Democracy." Described as the great "dalang," Sukarno’s position depended on his concept of Nasakom (Nationalism, Religion, Communism) whereby he sought to balance the competing Indonesian Military, Islamic groups, and the increasingly powerful Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). To the resentment of the military and Muslim groups, this arrangement became increasingly reliant on the PKI, which had become the country’s strongest political party. Sukarno's anti-imperial ideology saw Indonesia becoming increasingly dependent on the Soviet Union and China, which was met with indignation from Western countries. The cash-strapped government had to scrap public sector subsidies, annual inflation rose to as high as 1,000%, export revenues were shrinking, infrastructure crumbling, and factories were operating at minimal capacity with negligible investment.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1945: 1945 Milestone — Sukarno was Indonesia's founding president, a position he had held since the republic's formation in 1945.
2. 1955: 1955 Milestone — In 1955, the first general parliamentary elections delivered an unstable parliament, and Sukarno's rule became increasingly autocratic from the late 1950s under his "Guided Democracy.
3. 1965: 1965 Milestone — Immediately following the attempted coup in 1965, the political situation was uncertain, and Suharto's New Order found much popular support from groups wanting a separation from Indonesia's problems since its independence.
4. 1966: 1966 Milestone — The New Order (Indonesian: Orde Baru, abbreviated Orba) was the regime of the second Indonesian President Suharto from his rise to power in 1966 until his resignation in 1998.
5. 1998: 1998 Milestone — Among most members of the pro-democracy movement that forced Suharto to resign in the May 1998 riots and then gained power, the term "New Order" has come to be used pejoratively.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: New Order (Indonesia)

True or False: “The New Order immediately began by dismantling all existing political structures to ensure a rapid transition of power.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it sought control, the regime initially relied on co-opting and restructuring existing military and bureaucratic elements rather than completely dismantling them.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Aitana Bonmatí — Historical peer (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Akira Kurosawa — Historical peer (Died in 1998) (1998): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Aamir Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known as "Mr. Perfectionist" in Hindi cinema.
• Aaron Kwok — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Hong Kong performer, celebrated singer, dancer, and actor.
• Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi — Historical peer (Born in 1945) (1945): Yemeni politician who served as the second President of Yemen from 2012 to 2022.
• Adolf Hitler — Historical peer (Died in 1945) (1945): Austrian-born German politician who became dictator of Germany during the Nazi era.
• Akiko Yano — Historical peer (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering Japanese jazz and pop singer known for her eclectic style.
• Akira Toriyama — Historical peer (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Order (Indonesia)