At stake, in the minds of most Indonesians, is something more than personalities or even policies: it is the future of the movement for reforms in the post-Suharto era.

But both men have been leading the way into a more open post-Suharto era with pledges of democracy and human rights.

"It is still strongly in their minds, especially in the post-Suharto era, that any law related to security must lead to repression."

But he never lost his touch for the acerbic, and he remained a relentless critic of Indonesia's leadership, even during the post-Suharto era of a growing democracy.

The split is inline with the general trend of provincial splits that is occurring in all parts of Indonesia in the post-Suharto era.

The attempts to reduce the military's civilian functions have become a key focus of the reforms of the post-Suharto era.

The decision was hailed as a victory for the news media in Indonesia, which is savoring new freedoms in the post-Suharto era but still bears memories of long years of repression.

On the one hand it is trying to fashion a more benign image for itself in the post-Suharto era.

In a way, the new post-Suharto era is also an extension of the old Suharto era, which ended in a blaze of violent protest that forced its maker from office.

Now the real transition has taken place to an elected successor and the post-Suharto era can truly begin.