Promising Start in Indonesia

The election of Abdurrahman Wahid as Indonesia’s new president Wednesday represents a decisive break from decades of autocratic rule. But, as street riots by supporters of rival candidates showed, dismantling the corrupt regime of the past and building democracy in the world’s fourth most-populous country will be a monumental task.

Wahid, a charismatic Islamic cleric, got off to a promising start, pledging cooperation with other political factions and calling for tolerance among Indonesia’s diverse religious and ethnic groups. He will need similar pledges from other key political leaders, mainly Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose party holds the most seats in the parliament.

Wahid takes over in a country racked by the worst economic crisis in a generation and torn by political and regional unrest. He has a record of supporting political freedoms, economic reforms and ethnic tolerance. But without a party majority, he will need every ounce of his reputed skill as a deal-maker. Megawati’s help and her ability to rein in her rampaging supporters, disappointed with her loss, will be crucial.

If Pakistan taught us anything, it is that elections do not assure a working democracy. Wahid will have to build it, first by dismantling the corrupt system that enriched families and cronies of political leaders, and then by curbing the influence of Indonesia’s powerful military. Wahid’s government will have to devolve power to far-flung regions such as Aceh and Irian Jaya, which have long felt exploited and largely powerless. In East Timor, which won parliamentary recognition of its independence, Wahid needs to pull out Indonesian soldiers.

Indonesia’s economy is a shambles. Yet international lending institutions say they are ready to return, and so will private investors if Wahid’s government provides political and social stability. The test begins immediately.