Survey of Recent Developments

Considerable media criticism has been directed recently at parliamentarians' enthusiasm for costly overseas 'working visits' with little obvious benefit to the nation, and at their plans for a new parliamentary building. The criticism may not be fully justified, especially in relation to the latter, but is symptomatic of a high level of cynicism towards the parliament. Many of its members have been embroiled in corruption, and it is performing poorly in terms of the number of bills passed. Indonesia experienced two bomb explosions in the period covered here, while at least eight other bombs were defused. In contrast with previous patterns, the recent bombings are the work of small, mainly localised groups with only tenuous links to established terrorist organisations. This suggests that terrorism will remain a problem for many years.