Indonesian Temporary Migrants: Australia as First Preference or Last Resort?

Abstract

Large-scale emigrations do not occur in a vacuum but are related to the social and political contexts of the individuals who leave their country of origin for short or long periods. A decade and a half ago, Indonesia was in the grip of political upheaval and economic crisis that manifested as interreligious violence and social instability in many parts of the Indonesian archipelago. The Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s in part precipitated this period of instability and violence, with large numbers of workers losing their jobs and the Chinese minority targeted as a scapegoat in some regions. Aside from the economic crisis, other more deeply rooted factors in Indonesia’s history were also contributing influences. The authoritarian oligarchies of Sukarno and General Suharto from 1968 to 1998 continue to have a significant impact on Indonesia’s political culture, though in new, moderated forms (Buehler 2014). The transition to democratic governance is evident in political institutions and the rule of law, but the memories of military dictatorship remain potent for many Indonesians. After General Suharto lost power, Indonesia experienced a period of instability marked by sectarian violence and the rise of radical Muslim groups (Ford and Pepinsky 2014; Pisani 2014; Barton 2001; McGregor 2007). The first direct presidential election was held in 2004, resulting in the election of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was re-elected in 2009. On 20 October 2014, President Joko Widodo was sworn in, representing a departure from rule by Indonesia’s dynastic elite. In contrast to previous political leaders, Widodo is a provincial businessman who ran a furniture business until his rise to prominence as mayor of Surakarta (Solo) and, subsequently, governor of Jakarta (Lindsey 2014).