Edition 53: Jan-Mar 1998

The military: Kings or kingmakers

Political gangsters

The riot that engulfed Jakarta on 27 July 1996 started after army-backed gangsters invaded Megawati's PDI headquarters. JESSE RANDALL traces the strange relationship between government and criminality.

Godly men in green

Abri officers are becoming more Islamic, but many do not want their Islam to become a political tool for the administration, according to MARCUS MIETZNER.

Kings or kingmakers

Senior ABRI intentions may be obscure now, says BOB LOWRY, but no one should assume they will remain that way.

Watch these five!

DAMIEN KINGSBURY puts his money on five military winners in the presidential stakes. Indonesians call them the five Pendawa.