Thread by @1AmyChew

Today is 22nd anniversary of the fall of late President #Suharto amid mass student protests, rioting on 21 May 1998. I was then Reuters Jakarta correspondent, running from rubber bullets, tear gas almost every day. I witnessed incredible courage from people of #Indonesia. Thread

1. These are the lessons I learnt from #Indonesia
- Freedom is not free. You have to fight and sacrifice for it
- The fall of #Suharto was just the beginning of a long, back-breaking struggle to forge democracy, re-build or build democratic institutions for the future

2. Long-running regimes never want to give up power. They will use race, religion to shake new & democratic government. And nothing provoke people quite like race & religion.
- Hence, soon after Suharto's fall, religious & racial violence erupted in #Kalimantan, #Maluku etc.

3.#Indonesia's first democratically-elected President #GusDur, a revered, democratic, moderate Muslim cleric ruled for only for 2 years, ousted by a combination of political manoevering, bloody events, depressed economy
- #Malaysians, if you are reading, does this sound familiar?

4. I witnessed how dangerous it is for hate speech to take hold in society. Once that happens, it takes on a life of its own. Provocateurs won't be able to control the violence that ensues. Some genies must never be let out of the bottle. You can't put it back. Look at #Syria

5. I learnt that people are often better than the governments. I arrived in Jakarta during mass protests, didn't know my way around, escape routes if troubles broke out. Through clashes, tear gas, rubber bullets, strangers will come up to me, lead me to safety. Makasih #Indonesia

6. Jakarta's rioting and looting killed 1,200. Many were young kids trapped in burning malls. I covered the mass burial of these poor, young souls. A mother cried to me:"More painful than his death is that he is labeled a looter." I am so sorry Ibu. How the innocent suffer. Tears

7. After #Suharto's ouster, I had the great opportunity to interview his brother, Probosutedjo. He told me towards the end of Suharto's rule, he had become "jauh dari rakyat" (distant from people), his aides didn't tell him exactly what was happening on the ground.

8. Suharto's brother #Probosutedjo words on his brother becoming "distant from the people" was a crucial lesson on what enables a leader to remain in power.
- Know the hearts & minds of the people
- The pulse of nation, something Suharto knew for most part, until toward the end

9. Suharto's brother #Probosutedjo also gave me a paper with names of senior politicians from ex ruling Golkar party, saying:"This is the list of people who betrayed Pak Harto."
Another lesson: Long-running regimes will fall when senior members of its political vehicle abandon it

10. Suharto's brother #Probosutedjo founded Gunadarma University. Unknown to Probosutedjo, a student whom he knows, was actively demonstrating against Suharto. Despite finding out, Probosutedjo didn't get mad & instead granted the student's request to give me an interview😃

11. Thank you to all my #Indonesian friends, Bapak2, Ibu2, teman2 for your love, help & so much more. You are some of the finest people I know. Amongst them @TomiSoetjipto my brother, ex Reuters colleague (even tho you steal my food); many more not here on Twitter. Love always❤️