NEW ORDERS OF INDONESIA — BINTANG KEMANUSIAAN AND BINTANG PENEGAK DEMOKRASI

In: Journal of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS, Heft 4 (14), S. 192-200

Abstract

Since the fall of the 'New Order' in 1998, democratic reforms in Indonesia deeply changed the Constitution. The President may be elected only two times. The Presidential and general elections are general, direct, equal, secret polls. The Army reduced control over National Police. The Army lost its dual function, impliing its highest authority in politics and other social and economic issues. Democratic reforms include changes in the award system of Indonesia. Since the Independence, most orders, decorations and medals have been of the military kind. Even those awards, which should have been civilian by their statutes, were often given to the military personnel for particular services to the State. In 2009, then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed the Law No. 20 'About the Titles, Decorations and Awards' (Tentang Gelar, Tanda Jasa, Dan Tanda Kehormatan). The Act established the division of the orders into civilian and military groups. The civilian orders are higher than military ones. Both groups include seven orders each. The Law instituted two new civilian orders — Bintang Kemanusiaan and Bintang Penegak Demokrasi. The Bintang Kemanusiaan, or the Star of Humanities, has the only class. The Bintang Penegak Demokrasi, or the Star of the Upholder of Democracy, has three classes. Both awards are rewarded to President and Vice-President ex officio. There are no recipients of the Bintang Kemanusiaan, with the exception of Presidents Yudhoyono and Joko Vidodo and their Vice-Presidents. There are still only four recipients of the Bintang Penegak Demokrasi Utama, or first class. The Bintang Kemanusiaan and Bintang Penegak Demokrasi show the highly hierarchic structure of the Indonesian State.