WHEN the New Order regime reigned supreme in Indonesia and the public was forced into submitting to the ruling elite, Amien Rais stood out, running for the presidency in 1997. When former president Suharto and his supporters maintained absolute authority, Amien challenged the status quo, showing the Indonesian public that Suharto was not the only alternative.

Born in Solo on April 26, 1944, today Amien Rais finds himself running against fo