SOURCE: Pramoedya Ananta, Toer, and Michael Vatikiotis. “A Nation's Conscience.” Far Eastern Economic Review 161, no. 24 (11 June 1998): 46.

In the following interview, Pramoedya discusses his reaction to the political situation in Indonesia after the fall of the New Order.

The acrid smoke from a kretek cigarette curls up from his mouth as Indonesia's best known writer pauses to think about the momentous events in May that saw an end to Suharto and his New Order government. Finally, Pramoedya Ananta Toer gives a throaty chuckle. “Suharto's resignation is a comedy,” he says. “How can we have a real reform? The new cabinet is composed of people from the New Order, simply enjoying the national cake.”

He thinks for a while, takes another long draw on his cigarette and takes careful aim at the new government: “Reformasi,” he says using the popular Indonesian term for student-led demands for a complete overhaul of...