What I see is the growth of civil society and the emergence of a militant, young, progressive and politically conscious population. Mr. Wahid and Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri are the first results of an empowered population. They have weaknesses. But the people of Indonesia no longer have to rely so heavily on any set of leaders. A truly enfranchises people will produce other honest and able leaders.
Foreigners tend to focus on the burnings and killing.
But Indonesians are more impressed by the new sensations of democracy. It is a heady, exciting feeling after an era of autocracy. We have been lucky. Mr. Wahid, Mrs. Megawati and their supporters have been practicing interfaith dialogue and promoting nonviolence all their mature lives. The change from a violent regime in the world's fourth most populous nation is inevitably accompanied by horrible news headlines.