Indonesia's Population: Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing Political Landscape

Message from the Director

Message from the Director Given its geo-strategic importance and recent developments in the region, Indonesia continues to be a major area of study for the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS). In this regard, three ISEAS scholars, Dr Leo Suryadinata, Dr Evi Nurvidya Arifin, and Dr Aris Ananta have joined forces to undertake inter-disciplinary research on the basis of information derived from the 2000 Population Census of Indonesia. Their wider research project, broadly titled “Statistical contribution to an understanding of the socio-economic and political situation in Indonesia” has resulted in the book Indonesia’s Population: Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing Political Landscape, the first in ISEAS’ new series on Indonesia’s Population. Within this series, the authors plan to publish books on several other aspects of Indonesia’s political, economic and socio-cultural developments. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Professor Widjojo Nitisastro, the Father of Indonesian demography, for the Foreword to this book; Mr Lee Khoon Choy, former Singapore Ambassador to Indonesia, and a scholar-writer on Indonesia for writing a comment; Professor Gavin W. Jones, a leading scholar on Southeast Asia in general and Indonesia in particular from the Australian National University; and Dr N. Haidy A. Pasay, a scholar with a background in the quantitative methods of analysis, from the University of Indonesia, for his recommendation on the use of this book. I would also like to express my appreciation of the co-operation extended by the Central Board of Statistics, Indonesia. I commend the three scholars for their dedication in researching on an area of contemporary importance. I wish them further success in their endeavours to enhance the understanding of Indonesia. K. Kesavapany Director Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Singapore© 2003 Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore ...