一九九八年五月廿一日印尼總統蘇哈托在東南亞爆發金融危機，印尼經濟衰落不 振、以及群眾不斷抗爭示威中終於宣布下臺，並將總統職位移交給副總統哈比比繼任。哈比 比總統為順應民眾要求改革及實行民主的訴求，同時為了保護政權、安定民心，上臺不久即 採取了一系列改革措施，其中包括釋放政治犯、解除組織政黨之禁令、恢復及保障言論自由 、限制軍人干涉社會及政治事務、重整國會組織架構、修改選舉法及限制總統、副總統任期 、以及建立獨立的司法體制等改革政策。 解除黨禁以來，印尼出現了一百多個不同色彩的政黨，他們並積極準備投入今年六月七日大 選。當前印尼已邁向「百花齊放、百家爭鳴」的多元政黨政治。然而，印尼基本上仍缺乏樹 立民主政治的條件，中產階級仍非常薄弱，公民社會尚未建立，司法制度尚未健全。此外， 經濟貧困未見改善，而族群、宗教、社會暴力衝突方興未艾，法治尚未建立，社會日益脫序 。凡此均不利民主化的發展。今年六月七日大選的過程是否公平、公正進行，以及各個政黨 是否接受選舉的結果，對未來印尼民主化的發展影響深鉅。

　　　　　The downfall of Indonesian President Suharto on May 21, 1998 marked the dawn of a new era for the world's largest island nation. His successor, President Burhanuddin Habibie, pledged to implement reforms and democratization as demanded by the student and other opposition groups who toppled Suharto from power. Some reforms and democratization measures have been carried out since Hebibie assumed the presidency. Prominent political prisoners were released. The ban on the formation of new political parties was lifted. More than 100 new political parties have emerged since May 1998. The press also enjoys greater freedom. Moreover, the government has also adopted new election laws and curtailed the social and political role of the military. It has also pledged to promote and protect individual liberty and human rights. There is no question that Indonesia is beginning to move toward democratic pluralism. However, prospects have remained uncertain as Indonesia still lacks the basic ingredients for democracy, and economic poverty as well as ethnic, social, and religious confrontations have intensified.