Indonesia is a geographic mixing point between the traditional Malay peoples of most of Southeast Asia and the Austronesian peoples to the east. The country’s territory stretches thousands of miles from east to west and has a centuries-old history of settlement and interaction with the region and rest of the world. Consequently its culture and society reflect influences from China, India, the Middle East, and other areas of Southeast Asia.
A Cultural Field Guide to Indonesia produced by the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in 2006 as part of their Cultural Intelligence for Military Operations series.
This handbook provides basic reference information on Indonesia, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Indonesia.
Indonesia has one of the world’s freest media environments, with countless new mainstream and Islamic extremist outlets appearing since the fall of former President Suharto in 1998. Reporting and critical commentary range from thoughtful analysis of government policy to harsh critiques of alleged US “conspiracies” for world domination. The top broadcast stations and publications are all privately owned; state-run media have limited impact.
This Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for FY2009-12 marks Indonesia’s re-emergence as a confident middle-income country (MIC) that has graduated from IDA, and is enjoying a rising regional and global standing. With a Government that is demanding dependable and timely support for its own development priorities and its poverty-reduction agenda, this CPS positions the World Bank Group (WBG) to respond better to these challenges, thereby ensuring the WBG’s continued relevance in the new Indonesia.