Indonesia's History of Yesterday and Today

Dutch were the first to settle in Indonesia in 1602 and they maintained their rule for 300 years. Later, the Dutch were replaced by Japanese. In the year 1945 Indonesia became independent after protest and much demand. Soekarno was one of the protestors who later on became the Republic of Indonesia’s first president.

Indonesia as being independent created a new constitution and had a parliamentary government. Soekarno and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) had much control over many organizations and wanted to established “Fifth Column” that the army was against. People from the PKI kidnapped and murdered 6 senior generals. The Army Commander of Strategic Reserve, Major General Suharto, made an army to take back control. Great deals of violence erupt ending with thousands of deaths. This outbreak created political instability and fear between the people and even though Soekarno tried to recreate balance by March 1966 he gave his power to Major General Suharto.

Suharto started a economic rehabilitation controlled in large part by the military.  Indonesia faces great economical problems and after being president for 5 years Suharto is asked to resign and he does on May 21, 1998. When Suharto resigns his vice president B.J. Habibie becomes president.

During Habibie’s rule in 1999, East Timor was allowed to vote if it wanted to remain part of Indonesia or not and they decided not. This decision made the Indonesian army to kill many people in violent ways after the decision of pro-independence surged.

The first election after Suharto were made and Abdurrahman Wahid was chosen as president, but in 2001 he was changed with Megawati Sukarnoputri in July 2001, because he was blamed for being corrupt.

In 2002 the government tries to sign a peace treaty with separatist in Geneva, but in 2003 it is broken and the government starts to develop its military.

On July 5, 2004 the first direct presidential elections were held were having now as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono is now still the current president.

Current Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

In 2004 there is a tsunami and an earthquake that kills more than 220,000 people. Two years later there is another massive earthquake and a tsunami that hits Java killing more than 500 people.

The former president Major General Suharto dies in 2008. In that same year East Timorese accuses Indonesia to violation of human rights when it came to their independence in 1999, but it was never actually given by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

In 2009, Yudhoyono is re-elected and the police shoot a most wanted man accused of being responsible of attacks through the country.

In 2010 a video leaks of men torturing others and it is confirmed that the ones doing the torturing are from the military.

Since 2002 through 2008 there have been visible terrorist bombings throughout the country.

 Recently on February 2011 two churches were burnt down during a Muslim protest.
         Indonesia has a slow progressing health even though they a Seventh Five year plan. Indonesia is greatly affected by STD, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Pregnant women die at huge rate due to poor health care and having no one actually trained to deliver the babies.

To see a time line with more events go here , but if you want to read more detailed information about what happen click here.  To know about the health check here.