Indonesia Then and Now

[indousa]

When I was still living in Indonesia, when I went out, many people called me "Chinese!" or made comment such as, "You Chinese, go back to China!" Discrimination was a way of life. Even my own classmates, close friends that I was used to hang out with, would call me Chinese. It was such a big deal then.

The last time I went to Indonesia is 3 years ago. I don't know how long you guys have been in Indo. When I was there, the president was still Soeharto. My whole life there I had never experienced different president. Also, I didn't live in a big city so there were not as many Chinese descents in my town. At the time, the big city people were much friendlier to the Chinese (before riot May 1998). So, many Chinese who lived in the bigger cities didn't experience much of segregation as I had experienced. I was born in Indonesia, Indonesia was the only country I knew but the people didn't accept me as a citizen. It was a very painful experience...

But 3 years ago I went to visit Indonesia for the first time since I left. I noticed the different! No one called me Chinese when I visited my old town. (Well, people actually thought I was a tourist from Korea or Japan, he he...) I talked to some Chinese people there, they told me that Indonesia is now embrace Chinese culture. Now Chinese New Year is allowed to celebrate. The dragon is back. I remember, that the Chinese temple close to my family's home wasn't allowed to have dragon. When my father was naturalized to become an Indonesian citizen, he had to change his name to Indonesian name.

I met a few Chinese-Indonesians who now live in Singapore leaving Indonesia due to riot in 1998 telling me how the situation at the time. (I left before that so I only knew about the riot from the news and what others told me - probably what I heard was worse than what happened, I don't know... but it sounded very traumatic to me) She told me that some people were in their pajamas leaving everything behind to fly to Singapore. It took me years to have the courage to return to Indonesia. When I went to visit Indonesia... I was very surprised that people no longer call me Chinese. I am very proud and impressed with how Indonesia today where the Chinese generations can live side by side with the native. Even some celebrities are Chinese. I never saw that before when I was there.

I was feeling so bitter about my experience living there but now I can get over it.

[indotom]

I do believe that discrimination of Chinese people is decreasing in Indonesia. But the basis of the discrimination that prevents full integration in to Indonesian society still exists. I list the examples below.

1. Many Chinese people in Indonesia still cling to their religion, culture and language.
2. From what I have been told and seen personally, many Chinese business owners and families treat their Indonesia employees with contempt.
3. I would say that 70% of people of Chinese ancestry in Indonesia are of the middle class or higher. Compare this to about 10% of native Indonesians being from the middle class or higher. This leads to a visible class separation.

Does anyone agree or disagree with my thoughts?

[ohmdafyd]

I do believe that discrimination of Chinese people is decreasing in Indonesia. But the basis of the discrimination that prevents full integration in to Indonesian society still exists. I list the examples below.

1. Many Chinese people in Indonesia still cling to their religion, culture and language.
2. From what I have been told and seen personally, many Chinese business owners and families treat their Indonesia employees with contempt.
3. I would say that 70% of people of Chinese ancestry in Indonesia are of the middle class or higher. Compare this to about 10% of native Indonesians being from the middle class or higher. This leads to a visible class separation.

Does anyone agree or disagree with my thoughts?

Point 1
I think you are probably correct, personally however I don't see this as a basis to discriminate against anyone..many people in multi cultural Australia remain loyal to their 'old ways' but are also totally committed Aussies and whilst of course discrimination does exist there to a point, we tend to embrace the different cultures and see it as enhancing our society..more a sign of an immature attitude by Indonesians.
Point 2.. Agree, I have observed this and it really pisses me off..but Indonesians need to learn how to assert themselves better and also how to complain!
Point 3
Pure jealousy, again no reason to discriminate against them, {there is no valid reason for any discrimination to exist}..everyone nows that by and large Orang Chinese work very hard to better themselves so good luck to them for massing wealth, as long as it is legally obtained,again I believe it to be a sign of an immature attitude by those Indonesians who do practice discrimination, and not all do of course.!
As for visible class separations, is there anywhere in the world that does not have social strata, I don't think so.
My two cents worth :)

[indotom]

FROM INDOTOM point 3. I would say that 70% of people of Chinese ancestry in Indonesia are of the middle class or higher. Compare this to about 10% of native Indonesians being from the middle class or higher. This leads to a visible class separation.

Point 3
Pure jealousy, again no reason to discriminate against them, {there is no valid reason for any discrimination to exist}..everyone nows that by and large Orang Chinese work very hard to better themselves so good luck to them for massing wealth, as long as it is legally obtained,again I believe it to be a sign of an immature attitude by those Indonesians who do practice discrimination, and not all do of course.!
As for visible class separations, is there anywhere in the world that does not have social strata, I don't think so.
My two cents worth :)

Point 3 has merit because people of Chinese ancestry are sometimes still considered foreigners and thus native Indonesians may feel subjugated by outsiders. Why are they considered outsiders. Perhaps because they do not blend well with the local population on average. Jealousy, perhaps true...

[Mauricio]

Jakarta then: Pancoran in the 1960s

http://ariesaksono.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/pancoran-1960-an2.jpg

Nowadays when I see the "pizza guy" I know it's time to get off the toll-road...

[Black Adder]

Thats the 7-up man above, the pizza man is at Ratu Plaza and is no where near a toll road