26 November 2005
Radical Islam in Indonesia
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Greg Fealy believes that the threat of radical Islam in Indonesia has been greatly exaggerated by the Aussie press, scholars and government analysts, who have cited ominous trends without any empirical data to support their view.
He says the rise in Islamic extremism following the downfall of Suharto in 1998 has largely subsided. People are now more interested in their economic well being and in getting ahead rather than ideological issues. There could again be an Islamist resurgence for various political, social or economic reasons but the long-term pattern in Indonesia is for the mainstream assertion of a non-radical expression of faith.
Guests
Dr Greg Fealy
Research Fellow in Indonesian Politics, Australian National University
