Managing Indonesia's Transformation: An Oral History is an account of Ginandjar Kartasasmita's career in the Indonesian government, both under President Suharto and in the post-Suharto era. Based on all the ministerial positions in which Kartasasmita has served the government, the book provides readers candid insights into the domestic and international political and economic contexts in which decisions were made, and how policies were formulated and implemented in Indonesia.
The book contains many hours of interviews in which the author responds — as frankly as he can — to all sorts of questions from a group of scholars and specialists working on Indonesian politics and political economy, with the understanding that the book is for those who want to understand Indonesian politics, both past and present.
Sample Chapter(s)
Foreword (37 KB)
Introduction (44 KB)
Contents:
- Early Years
- Rising with Sudharmono: 1965–1983
- The Year of 1988
- Toward the MPR in 1998: Indonesia in Crisis
- The Habibie Presidency
- From Habibie to Wahid
- Megawati's Presidency and the 2004 Elections: Towards Consociational Democracy?
- SBY and the Dilemma of a Multiparty Presidential System
- Challenges Ahead, International Footprints, and If …
Readership: Academics, undergraduates and graduates, and policy-makers in Asian politics and international relations.
“Ginandjar Kartasasmita was instrumental in Indonesia's democratic transition and played key roles both in the government and in the Parliament from President Suharto's time to the current Yudhoyono administration. I firmly believe his memoir is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the past, present, and future of Indonesia.”
Yasuo Fukuda
former Prime Minister of Japan
“Indonesia's relatively smooth evolution into a democracy is short of a miracle. As the largest founding member state of ASEAN, Indonesia's experiences in nation-building have implications on our regional organisation. Professor Ginandjar Kartasasmita has been a close witness to the transformation of his country and has been directly involved in the nation's journey to modernity. This book is a gold mine of information for all who are interested in the political and economic evolution of the world's largest Muslim country. It is a must-read for those who want to understand contemporary Indonesia.”
Surin Pitsuwan
Secretary-General
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
“Indonesia's path to the stable and dynamic state as it is today was a long arduous route which marked periods of progress often followed by economic collapse. Ginandjar Kartasasmita was a witness to many of these events and this oral history provides a fascinating firsthand account of Indonesia's development from a flawed state to a growing functioning economy and a government grounded on democratic principles.”
Joseph J Stern
Harvard University (Retired)
“This personal account of Indonesia spanning four decades by a true insider gives us unique insights in the turbulent and progressive times of building a new nation. Kartasasmita's intimate storytelling, with a sharp eye for detail and self-reflection, makes it a captivating read. Highly recommended for anyone with a keen interest in this complex region of the world.”
Elisabeth Scheper
Senior Gender & Peacebuilding Advisor
United Nations Department of Political Affairs
Ginandjar Kartasasmita has devoted his life to the development of Indonesia from various positions in different capacities. Before serving as a presidential advisor to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono — the country's 6th President — since 2009, Kartasasmita chaired the House of Regional Representatives, or Indonesia's ‘Upper House’, which was newly established in 2004 aiming to strengthen the authority of legislative branch in the age of democracy. He himself was directly elected by voters in West Java to be the provincial representative in the House. During the crucial period of political transition (1999–2004), Kartasasmita navigated Indonesia as the vice-chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, the country's highest decision-making body. Apart from these political leaderships, he has taken on various initiatives in the field of economic development as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (1998–1999); Minister of State for National Development Planning/Head of National Development Planning Agency, or BAPPENAS, (1993–1998); Minister of Mines and Energy (1988–1993); and as the Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Agency, or BKPM, (1985–1988). Also as an educator, Dr Kartasasmita has been active both domestically and internationally, teaching development policies and sharing his experiences at universities such as the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and Waseda University in Tokyo, Brawijaya University and Pasundan University in Indonesia, and Harvard University in the US, where he served as professor, visiting professor or visiting scholar. One of his academic contributions can be found in his “Globalization and the Economic Crisis: the Indonesian Story” (Working Paper No.01–03, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, 2001).
