The 'much praised' democratic process 'is but a sham.'

The best book on Indonesia.

On 8 October 2009, the excellent Jakartass had an entry on Indonesia entitled "Wiping The Slate Clean?"

Among the points made:

1. Yudhoyono, a retired general, has been reelected as president of Indonesia.

There are significant signs that the 'much praised' democratic process 'is but a sham.'

2. Yudhoyono is creating a dynasty.

"The USA has had its Kennedys and Bushes;

"Greece has just elected the son and grandson of prime ministers as their new prime minister;

"Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka have their Bhuttos, Ghandis and Banderanikes - and the list goes on."



3. Yudhoyono has three brothers-in-law in top military positions.

Lt. Gen. Erwin Sujono is Military Chief of General Affairs.

Maj. Gen. Suryo Prabowo is the Jakarta Military Commander.

Maj. Gen. Edhie Wibowo is commander of the notorious Army special forces, Kopassus.

Yudhoyono's eldest son, Army Captain Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, is at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"Word is that he is being groomed as a future president."

Yudhoyono's second son, Eddie Baskoro, is a member of parliament.

4. The Golkar political party have been holding a congress to elect a new leader.

The two main candidates were Abdurizal Bakrie, "of Lapindo Brantas mudflow infamy" (aangirfan: BAKRIE ), and media mogul Suryo Paloh.

Bakrie "wants Golkar to cling to power by entering Yudhoyono's new government."

Bakrie won "because he threw more money at the voting delegates."

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