This book is the result of more than ten years of intense engagement with Indonesian politics and its actors. I began research for my Ph.D. dissertation in Indonesia in 1997, when the New Order regime started to crumble. Since then, I have lived in the country for most of the time, witnessing at first hand many of the events that shaped the post-Suharto polity. Based on these direct observations, this book covers one of the most eventful decades of Indonesian modern history, from the end of authoritarian rule to the phase of democratic consolidation from 2004 onwards. Of course this latter phase is far from completed, and the outcome of the political reform process still uncertain.

A great number of people have assisted me during my research for this book, both directly and indirectly. First and foremost, Harold Crouch has been a great influence on my scholarly and personal development since I began my Ph.D. candidature at the Australian National University (ANU) in 1997. I was deeply impressed by the warmth and dedication that Harold showed towards his students, providing significantly more assistance and support than his position as a university professor would have required. Even after I completed my doctoral studies, Harold continued to comment on my academic writings, including the last two chapters of this book. Without Harold's willingness to introduce me to senior military officers and politicians, his constant encouragement and advice, and his intellectual guidance, this book would not have been possible. In the same vein, I am indebted to Greg Fealy, also of ANU, who played a big role in the production of this book as well. His friendship and uncompromising scholarly advice have accompanied my life for the last ten years. I have become a great admirer of his strong academic ethics, his command of a precise but colourful language, and his unique sense of humour. Special thanks are also due to Merle Ricklefs, of the National University of Singapore, who continued to read my drafts after his departure from the ANU in 1998 and provided invaluable comments and insights.