The idea of multiculturalism became fashionable in Indonesia after the Reformasi in 1998. It was adopted by many circles in lieu of creating a more tolerant society amid the burgeoning sectarian conflicts following the resignation of long-time ruler Soeharto.
Today, while tolerance is in short supply everywhere, the concept faces serious challenges in the West. Not very long ago, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that, in Germany, multiculturalism had “failed, utterly failed”. Sharing the podium with her, Horst Seehoffer, the Bavarian State Premier, more strongly stated that “multiculturalism is dead.”
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