RETHINKING THE POSITION OF ETHNIC CHINESE INDONESIANS
Abstract: This article
examines the position of ethnic Chinese Indonesians from the pre-colonial
period to the post-Suharto era, and factors that were at play. Chinese
Indonesians experienced variousdiscrimination and attacks ever since the Dutch
colonisation period and, most severely, during theSuharto’s presidency
(1966-1998). Under Suharto, the state perceived them as the potential ‘fifthcolumn’
for China; thus, imposing upon them forced assimilation, restriction from
politics, public service, military and entrance to public universities, and to
finally coerce them to abandon their ethnic and cultural identity. Furthermore,
attacks against the Chinese reached its climax in May 1998amid the Asian
financial crisis when riots against the Chinese broke out in many parts of the
country.However, the condition of the Chinese improved significantly after the
end of the Suharto regime on 21 May 1998 and following the rise of open-minded
Indonesian political leaders as well as the rise of China as an economic power.
This article concludes that the position of ethnic Chinese Indonesians was
shaped by not only the interests and agendas of the power-holders but also the
anti-communist politics associated with the Cold War, the rise of open-minded
Indonesian political leaders, IndonesiaChina relations and the globalisation of
the economic position of China.
Author: Chong Wu Ling
Journal Code: jpsejarahgg160004
