Indonesia: Authoritarianism, development and democracy

In Indonesia, President Suharto, now 76 years old, has held office for more than 30 years. With nearly absolute power, he has quelled opposition and sees it as subversive. Despite the economy's success story, discontent is rising along with swelling inequality, corruption and nepotism. Democratic aspirations recently spurred riots all over the country. Having taken distance from the army, though he keeps it under his own control, Suharto is leaning on Islam, which is undergoing a revival and fueling new ambitions. The army sees this as a danger for the nation's unity. Though divided and weak, it intends to keep control.