What was done to limit the military’s influence between 1998-2004, without it upsetting the social order? Also, how did the shift affect the economy?
Decreasing their seats and power in parliament. Making Indonesian governance system decentralized where Governors and Majors are elected in local election instead of appointed by President as happened during Soekarno and Soeharto era. During Soeharto regimes, many Governors and Majors are from Military
Myanmar is trying to follow our way when Aung San Su Ki came to power. But in Myanmar military then take the power again.
There is no social order upset as people are pro democracy and respect their intelectuals. Our intellectual and civil political power are united as well in term of the need to bring back military to barrack ( becoming professional soldiers ).
During transition, Habibie as President has Luhut Binsar Panjaitan in his side. Luhut is very respected General. There was moment where Prabowo Subianto came to President Palace with gun and he wanted to meet Habibie. Prabowo was Kostrad Commander during that time and he has close ally with Kodam Jaya Commander ( Safrie Samdoedin ) and Kopassus (Special Force), Prabowo is former Kopassus Commander. Luhut then warn Prabowo to let go his gun or being shot
Kostrad is the most modern troops around 20.000 strong. This is why only Kostrad that operate Leopard Tanks
Prabowo with Kopassus Special Force (around 8000 strong and their base near Jakarta)
Kodam Jaya was lead by Safrie Samsoedin. Kodam Jaya is military force to defend Jakarta, so they are inside Jakarta already.
Safrie Samsoedin with Soeharto inside APC in Bosnia
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After the incident in Palace, Prabowo was sucked from Military.
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Indonesia Armed Force during that period is lead by Wiranto. What he did to surpress any attempt by any potential Military General to do any coup is to bring many Marine force into Jakarta. Marine comes from Navy, it has different chain of command with Army
Wiranto is pro democracy and he was Armed Force General during Soeharto period. Habibie appointed him as Minister of Defense so he once again the leader of Armed Force.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former Armed Force General are also inside Habibie Ministry. He is pro democracy as well. He become President in 2004-2014.
Luhut Binsar Panjaitan with MBS