The wave of democratization in Indonesia started with the Reformasi Move, which pressured President Soeharto to step down in May 1998. The relbrntasi(lit. reform nlovement) which led to the demise of the New Order regime. have introduced important changes within Indonesian politics permitting significant rcforms in local politics The new den-rocratic system in Indonesia is charactelized by the more powerful legislative body, the introduction of multiparty cornpetitive elections, checks and balances between the executive, and a free press and guarantees of civil liberties.