Abstract

Sukarno: Regional Bully

Indonesia's decision to "confront" its new neighbor, Malaysia, has opened eyes to the real dangers in Indonesia's understanding of its role in South-East Asia. Once regarded as one of the unluckiest of possessions in its choice of colonizer, later seen as a leader of the morally influential non-aligned group of nations, Indonesia is now quickly gaining a reputation as a regional bully. When Malaysia came into being on September 16, 1963, it offered no threat to Indonesia. Its defense arrangements with Great Britain and its Commonwealth neighbors Australia and New Zealand, were essentially the same as had existed with Malaya since it became independent in 1957. The "will of the people" had shown itself to two commissions of inquiry, as well as in two elections and one referendum, to favor the new confederation.