Negotiating identity and survival: the Chinese Indonesians’ journey in the last century

• Main Author: Wang, Li Wei Giovanni
• Other Authors: Koh Keng We
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/174430
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper aims to examine the history and socio-cultural development of Indonesian Chinese, known colloquially as Chinese Indonesians, from 1965 to 1998 during the Suharto era. Existing scholarship on this subject often adopts a macro perspective when examining this period of history, with the discourse heavily anchored on the political aspects, causally portraying Indonesian Chinese as victims of discrimination who were passive and powerless. By doing so, it undermines the historical influence and agency of Indonesian Chinese in the process. Nevertheless, this paper aims to shed light on how Chinese Indonesians negotiate their identity and reconcile their dual identity as “Chinese Indonesians” in the face of adversity. The paper begins by tracing the historical origin of Chinese in Indonesia and the relationship they had with the local population. Thereafter, the paper will explore how the relationships and social dynamics between the indigenous and Chinese Indonesians, prior to Indonesia’s independence, affected the identity of Indonesian Chinese after 1945. Following that, the paper will examine how Chinese Indonesians negotiated their identity and preserved their culture and heritage in the face of systemic discrimination and assimilation pressures. Ultimately, this research paper extends beyond the personal and historical realms, holding significant relevance for both the fields of history and sociology, offering insights into the resilience and adaptability of minority communities in the face of adversity. By analyzing both scholarly articles, books and personal accounts, this paper sought to bring about a better and more intimate understanding of the socio-cultural development of Indonesian Chinese during the Suharto period.