Their Moment in the Sun: Indonesia's New Gangster Parliamentarians

During Indonesia's New Order, state-sanctioned "youth groups" sheltered the enterprises of what were in effect criminals gangs. These groups were given license to control gambling, prostitution, drug distribution, and protection rackets in exchange for political support and making themselves available for periodic extra-legal violence. Brought into the state apparatus in his way, their leaders enjoyed practical training. It is no surprise that they, and their members, were poised to win parliamentary elections at all levels after the end of the New Order. This talk discusses these figures and their political views in terms of the implications for understanding post-authoritarian Indonesia. Dr. Loren Ryter is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Washington in 2002 and taught at Cornell until 2006. He is currently working on a book manuscript on the political history of youth, gangs, and the state in Indonesia since the 1950s. Dr. Loren Ryter is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Washington in 2002 and taught at Cornell until 2006. He is currently working on a book manuscript on the political history of youth, gangs, and the state in Indonesia since the 1950s.On the state-sanctioned youth groups of the New Order, who sheltered criminal gangs in exchange for political support and periodic extra-legal violence…and their place in the Indonesian parliament after the end of the New Order