Dasar Pembangunan di Indonesia dan Malaysia: Suatu Analisis Perbandingan (National Development Policy In Indonesia and Malaysia: A Comparative Analysis)

Abstract

This article offers a comparitive analysis of the national development policies of the Indonesian and Malaysian governments under the guidance of premier’s Soeharto and Mahathir Mohamad respectively. Despite many distinct differences in the formulation, style and implementation of each country’s development policies, both political leaders have been considered to have implemented successful development strategies. Soeharto’s top-down approach known as military modernization contrasts most strikingly with Mahathir’s public-driven civilian modernization method. The economic consquences of the two leader’s differing ideological positions were witnessed most starkly during Southeast Asia’s financial crisis of 1997 and 1998. In Indonesia, Soeharto accepted the IMF’s help in order to salvage Indonesia’s economy, but Dr. Mahathir rejected the same offer of assistance. The results were perhaps unexpected. Soeharto’sactions caused economic hardship and ultimately led to his political downfall, while Mahathir managed to restore Malaysia’s economy. This article explores the comparative strengths and weaknesses of each country’s developmental policies, with the financial crisis providing the focal point of the study.