The year 2004 will mark another crucial step in Indonesia's long-term transition. The country will go to the polls to elect new national and regional Parliaments, and for the first time in the history o f the Republic, to directly elect a President. This milestone in the country's...

Indonesia experienced another year of modest growth amidst a hesitant global recovery, and a deteriorating investment climate. Significant progress was made in democratization, macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability, but growth did not pick up and progress in poverty reduction...