CHINESE POLITICS IN POST-SUHARTO'S INDONESIA. Beyond the Ethnic Approach?

Rethinking the Position of Ethnic Chinese Indonesians

“…76 Social unrest in Indonesia, aggravated by the financial crisis, escalated and peaked in mid-May in Jakarta, Solo and other parts of the country. Chinese shops and properties were looted and burned down, and as mentioned earlier, it was alleged that many Chinese women were brutally tortured, raped and murdered.…”

The Interdependent Family‐Centric Career: Career Perspective of the Overseas Chinese in Indonesia

“…A majority of these OC Indonesians live in Java and Kalimantan (Suryodiningrat, 2006). As are most ethnic minority groups, the OC are exposed to discrimination (Lindsey, 2005;Suryadinata, 1998Suryadinata, , 2001Winarta, 2004) and consequently face either real or perceived limits to opportunities in their work life. In addition, it is my view that one of the factors that has fueled and perpetuated discriminatory practices is the misconceptions surrounding OC Indonesians-that they are one insular group, that they are all wealthy, and that OC Indonesians control approximately 70% of Indonesia's economy (Chavez, 1997).…”

Setting the Scene Speaking Out: Chinese Indonesians After Suharto

“…23 During the Japanese occupation, from 1942 to 1945, Chinese political organisations in Indonesia were banned. 24 Then, during President Soekarno's administration , the debate regarding assimilation, including an abandonment of Chinese customs and cultural traits, versus integration, involving 'political loyalty and identification with Indonesia but not an immediate abandonment of group identity', escalated. 25 Individuals advocating integration were, however, increasingly marked as Communists, while others advancing the cause of assimilation were building on nationalist sentiments, prominent in the newly independent Indonesia.…”

“…They wanted to establish NGOs that would promote ethnic Chinese interests. 94 Giblin (this issue) suggests that these newly emerging non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should be subdivided as, while some are campaigning on anti-discrimination matters, others are concentrating on social and cultural issues. Two increasingly well-known socio-cultural NGOs which have emerged are Paguyuban Sosial Marga Tionghoa Indonesia (PSMTI; Indonesian Chinese Social Clan Association) and Perhimpunan Indonesia Keturunan Tionghoa (INTI; Associations of Indonesians of Chinese Descent).…”

“…99 Indeed, as Pandiangan stresses, what will determine the fate of these new media outlets is not so much the authorities for the time being, but problems concerning inflexible management, funding (especially due to a lack of advertisers) and the capabilities of editorial staff. 100…”