Jakarta, Indonesia

Arrey's story takes place here.

Recent History of Indonesia in the Alternate Timeline

1990s - Early 2000s: The Era of Reformasi and Transition

• 1998 - The Fall of Suharto: The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998 hits Indonesia hard, leading to massive economic instability. President Suharto, who had ruled Indonesia with an iron fist since 1967, is forced to resign in 1998 after widespread protests, riots, and a loss of confidence from both domestic and international powers. The transition from Suharto’s New Order regime to a more democratic government begins under his successor, B.J. Habibie.
• 1999 - East Timor Independence and National Unity Crisis: East Timor votes for independence in a UN-sponsored referendum, leading to violence and a severe humanitarian crisis. The loss of East Timor is a blow to Indonesian national pride and sparks debates about regional autonomy and the fragility of the Indonesian state, given its diverse and sometimes fractious population.
• 2001 - The Rise of Decentralization: As a response to the centralization of power under Suharto, Indonesia embarks on a path of decentralization, granting more autonomy to its provinces and regions. This decentralization, while intended to promote democracy and local governance, also exacerbates local conflicts, corruption, and the rise of regional warlords.

2000s - 2010s: Growth Amidst Turmoil

• 2002 - The Bali Bombings and the Rise of Terrorism: Indonesia faces the threat of Islamic extremism with the Bali bombings in 2002, which kill over 200 people, including many foreign tourists. The attacks are carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah, an extremist group with ties to al-Qaeda. The Indonesian government cracks down on terrorist activities, but the threat remains a significant issue in the following years.
• 2004 - The Indian Ocean Tsunami: The devastating tsunami of 2004 strikes Indonesia’s Aceh province particularly hard, leading to the deaths of over 170,000 people and widespread destruction. The disaster forces the Indonesian government to improve its disaster response mechanisms and leads to a peace agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), ending decades of conflict in the region.
• 2009 - Political Stability and Economic Growth: Despite the challenges, Indonesia experiences a period of relative political stability and economic growth during the late 2000s under the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Indonesia’s economy grows steadily, driven by commodities, manufacturing, and an expanding middle class. Jakarta, as the capital, becomes a bustling megacity, though it continues to struggle with infrastructure, traffic congestion, and flooding.

2020s: The Onset of Global Chaos and Indonesia's Struggles

• 2021 - The COVID-19 Pandemic and Government Response: The COVID-19 pandemic hits Indonesia hard, particularly in densely populated areas like Jakarta. The government’s response is criticized for being slow and inadequate, leading to a prolonged public health crisis. The economic impact is severe, with millions losing their jobs and businesses closing down. This period also sees an increase in social unrest and distrust in the government.
• 2023 - The Eruption of Mount Krakatoa: In a devastating natural disaster, Mount Krakatoa erupts, causing widespread destruction in the Sunda Strait region and affecting coastal areas, including parts of Jakarta. The eruption leads to a significant loss of life, displaces thousands of people, and further strains the government’s resources. The disaster also exacerbates fears of environmental degradation and the impact of climate change on Indonesia’s future.
• 2025 - Rising Sea Levels and Jakarta’s Struggle: Jakarta faces increasing challenges due to rising sea levels and severe flooding, worsened by climate change. The city, already sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction, is now at a critical point. The government’s plans to move the capital to Borneo are accelerated, but the process is fraught with corruption, delays, and logistical challenges. Jakarta remains the de facto capital, but its future is increasingly uncertain.
• 2026 - The Fragmentation of Global Order and Indonesia's Internal Strife: As the global order begins to collapse, Indonesia faces its own internal challenges. The rise of regional separatist movements, fueled by economic disparities and ethnic tensions, threatens national unity. Papua, in particular, becomes a hotspot for conflict, with increased calls for independence. The government’s efforts to maintain control are met with resistance, leading to violent crackdowns and human rights abuses.
• 2028 - The Collapse of the Indonesian Archipelago: The impact of global economic collapse and the failure of centralized governance lead to the fragmentation of Indonesia. Several provinces, particularly in the outer islands, declare autonomy or independence, leading to a period of civil war and chaos. Jakarta, once the heart of the nation, becomes a battleground for various factions vying for control.

2030s: Jakarta in the Midst of Ruin

• 2030 - The Fall of Jakarta: By 2030, Jakarta is a city on the brink. The government has officially moved its capital to Borneo, but Jakarta remains the largest city and a symbolic center of power. However, the city is now flooded, with many areas submerged underwater. The once-thriving metropolis is now divided between rival warlords, criminal syndicates, and extremist groups. The central government’s influence is minimal, and the city becomes a no-man’s land, a place where law and order have broken down completely.
• 2032 - The Rise of the Jakarta Syndicate: Amid the chaos, a powerful criminal organization known as the Jakarta Syndicate emerges, controlling large portions of the city. The Syndicate is involved in everything from drug trafficking to human smuggling, and it effectively operates as the de facto government in many areas. The Syndicate’s leader, a ruthless figure known as “The Cobra,” maintains power through a combination of violence, bribery, and strategic alliances with both local and international actors.
• 2035 - Environmental Catastrophes and Famine: Jakarta and much of Indonesia face ongoing environmental disasters, including more frequent and severe storms, landslides, and crop failures. The country’s ability to feed its population is severely compromised, leading to widespread famine. The Jakarta Syndicate profits from the crisis, controlling food distribution and using it to consolidate power further.
• 2037 - The Final Exodus: As conditions in Jakarta become unbearable, a massive exodus from the city begins. Those who can afford to leave, including many of the city’s remaining elites, flee to safer areas, either within Indonesia or abroad. The poor and vulnerable are left behind, trapped in a city that is slowly being consumed by the sea.
• 2040 - Jakarta: A City of Ghosts: By 2040, Jakarta is largely abandoned, a city of ghosts where only the desperate and the damned remain. The once-great capital is now a dystopian wasteland, a symbol of Indonesia’s fall from grace. The remnants of the Jakarta Syndicate continue to operate, but their power is waning as the city becomes increasingly uninhabitable. Jakarta’s fate is sealed as the waters continue to rise, and the city’s last inhabitants struggle to survive in the ruins.

2045: The New Order in Indonesia

• 2045 - Indonesia's Fragmented Future: By 2045, Indonesia is no longer a unified nation but a patchwork of independent states, autonomous regions, and lawless zones. The central government in Borneo struggles to maintain control over what remains of the archipelago, but its influence is limited to a few core areas. The rest of the country is divided between regional warlords, criminal syndicates, and extremist groups, each vying for power and resources.
• Jakarta's Legacy: Jakarta, once the heart of Indonesia, is now a cautionary tale of environmental collapse, political failure, and human greed. The city's ruins serve as a grim reminder of what was lost and a symbol of the challenges that the new Indonesian states face as they attempt to rebuild in a world that has been forever changed.