Of course GOLKAR, the incumbent party will continue to exert strong political influence.
We have some reports suggesting that the NU (headed by Abdul Rahman Wahid or Gus Dur may align with the PDI of Megawati Sukarnoputri. Parti Nasional or the National Mandate Party- under Amien Rais, a former Professor of Political Science, with a following of 23 million people [Muslim based] will also feature strongly in any election to be held in Indonesia. Barisan Nasional, a party formed some influential ex-generats and ex-Golkar members. The Barisan National is likely to figure strongly in the July elections despite their close relations with ex-President Subatto with whom they have seemingly cut their ties. At the moment (December 1998) there are 108 political parties who have indicated they want to contest in the June 1999 election. [This figure has increased to 200 by February 1999] By January 17, 1999 the government has issued a new directive - each party must have a minimum of two branches in all the 27 provinces before they could contest the next elections.
Role of the Military
■ Undergoing changes. Not very strong during Sukarno's period, but very strong during Suharto's time. Suharto himself was an ex-general - who counted on the military to give him the support. At the time of the coup' de tat in October 1965 Suharto was a major general in charge of Kostrad-- Strategic Forces Corp;
■ Suharto made the military protector of 1945 Constitution. He introduced pancasila- a state ideology emphasizing on five principles：
- belief in God;
