ABSTRACT
J. S. Furnivall once argued that because of the lack of common social will between the ethnic and racial groups of Southeast Asia, plural societies in the region faced the pressure of dissolution at the risk of nightmarish anarchy, unless some kind of formula could be devised. 1 Compared with other Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia — it is safe to say — is one of the most diverse societies in terms of ethnicity, language, custom and religion. The need for a common social platform as asserted by Furnivall is even more important today as Indonesia is now at a pivotal time after the demise of the authoritarian New Order regime of Suharto. In the wake of regional autonomy (otonomi daerah) and the rise of interest in local politics, the country is now at a very critical juncture where all its regions are trying to redefine themselves and their relationship with Jakarta.
