Indonesia occupies a special place in Southeast Asian studies literatures not only because it is the largest plural society and most populous nation in this region, but also because of the political dynamics of transition from the authoritarian regime to democratisation. Since the reformasi (reformation) which commenced by1998, Indonesian politics has entered a new phase of democratisation characterized in particular by the policies of decentralisation. This has fostered greater autonomy in governing political and financial affairs at the provincial and especially at the regency/district levels.