Author: Choi, Nankyung

Source: South East Asia Research, Volume 15, Number 3, November 2007 , pp. 325-354(30)

Publisher: IP Publishing Ltd

Abstract:

This paper examines the processes and outcomes of Indonesia's first ever direct local elections through an analysis of the 2006 mayoral election in Batam. The paper highlights and seeks to explain a paradox in contemporary Indonesia's local politics: that is, the weakening of political parties' influence in local political change at a time when political parties maintain a monopoly over the nomination of candidates for local government heads. The analysis shows that, instead of parties, party machines and party platforms, wealthy and politically influential local elites have come to dominate electoral competition for local government heads. The paper provides an understanding of how direct local elections have affected the political dynamics of Batam, which was an integral part of Soeharto's patronage system that upheld the New Order regime until 1998. Furthermore, the author suggests that analysing local political change can improve our understanding of Indonesia's political development more broadly.

Keywords: POLITICAL PARTIES; ELECTIONS; ELITES; LOCAL POLITICS; DECENTRALIZATION; BATAM; INDONESIA

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5367/000000007782717731

Publication date: 2007-11-01

More about this publication?

• South East Asia Research publishes articles based on original research or fieldwork on all aspects of South East Asia within the disciplines of archaeology, art history, economics, geography, history, language and literature, law, music, political science, social anthropology and religious studies. This peer-reviewed journal is published four times per year by IP Publishing in cooperation with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). SOAS is the leading centre in this field in Europe and one of the most prestigious centres of South East Asian Studies in the world.

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