Flashback - Orang Tionghoa namanya kok "Jawa"?

Summary

This video explores the forced assimilation of the Chinese-Indonesian community during the New Order regime. It highlights how many ethnic Chinese were forced to adopt Indonesian names and abandon their cultural identity due to discriminatory laws. The video traces the historical treatment of the Chinese, from their privileged status during the Dutch colonial period to their marginalization and scapegoating in post-independence Indonesia. Despite their significant role in the economy, the Chinese faced widespread prejudice, culminating in the 1998 anti-Chinese riots. The video reflects on the lasting impact of forced assimilation on the Chinese community’s identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The names like Tanusudibyo Pangestu Atmajaya and Cahyadi Salim Setiawan are often mistakenly associated with Javanese ethnicity, but they are actually from Chinese descent.
• 😀 The forced assimilation of the Chinese community during the New Order regime in Indonesia involved discriminatory policies with long-lasting effects.
• 😀 During the Dutch colonial period, Chinese Indonesians were treated differently, given exclusive settlements, and were involved in the economy alongside Europeans and Arabs.
• 😀 After Indonesia gained independence, Chinese Indonesians were still active in the economy and politics, unlike during the colonial era when political participation was restricted.
• 😀 In 1965, political and social conflicts targeted the Chinese, with accusations of ties to communism, leading to mass violence against them.
• 😀 In 1966, Foreign Minister Adam Malik urged the Chinese community to prove their loyalty to Indonesia, which fueled anti-Chinese sentiment and led to policies like school closures and forced repatriation.
• 😀 Forced assimilation under the New Order regime utilized the Chinese for economic and political gain, but also perpetuated tensions between the Chinese and native Indonesians.
• 😀 Discriminatory regulations like Presidential Instruction No. 14/1967 restricted Chinese religious practices and cultural expressions, and Chinese identity was further suppressed.
• 😀 In 1967, Chinese-Indonesians were forced to change their names to more Indonesian-sounding ones, often with Javanese influences, complicating administrative processes.
• 😀 Despite forced assimilation, Chinese Indonesians were still subject to discrimination, as seen during the 1998 May riots where they became victims of mass violence, sexual assault, and looting.
• 😀 The forced assimilation erased the cultural and ancestral ties of many generations of Chinese Indonesians, leaving them disconnected from their heritage and identity.

Q & A

What is the significance of names like Tanusudibyo Pangestu Atmajaya and Cahyadi Salim Setiawan in Indonesian society?

These names, commonly associated with individuals of Javanese ethnicity, actually belong to many ethnic Chinese people in Indonesia. They were forced to assimilate and adopt Indonesian-sounding names due to discriminatory policies during the New Order regime.

How were the Chinese people treated during the Dutch colonial era in Indonesia?

During the colonial period, the Chinese were given special treatment by the Dutch government. They were involved in economic activities and given exclusive settlements, living near Europeans and Arabs, while the indigenous people were forced to live in separate suburban areas.

What was the status of ethnic Chinese people in Indonesia after the country's independence in 1950?

Following independence, ethnic Chinese people were still allowed to participate in economic activities and even politics. They were free to engage in politics, unlike during the colonial era when they were restricted.

What event led to increased anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia in the mid-1960s?

In 1966, a speech by Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik, urging ethnic Chinese to prove their loyalty to the country, sparked increased anti-Chinese sentiment. This led to actions like the closure of Chinese schools and the forced repatriation of Chinese Indonesians to China.

What were the consequences of the anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia during the 1960s?

The anti-Chinese sentiment resulted in the forced repatriation of ethnic Chinese to China, and discriminatory policies were enforced, such as restrictions on religious and cultural practices. Additionally, the Chinese community was often viewed with suspicion and distrust.

How did the New Order regime under Soeharto manipulate the ethnic Chinese population?

The New Order regime used the ethnic Chinese population for economic and political purposes, aligning with influential Chinese businessmen to bolster the regime's power, while simultaneously maintaining a climate of division and discrimination to strengthen its control.

What were some of the discriminatory policies implemented during the New Order regime regarding the Chinese community?

Discriminatory policies included banning public religious and cultural practices of ethnic Chinese, changing the term 'Tionghoa' to 'Cina,' and forcing ethnic Chinese to change their names to Indonesian-sounding ones. These measures sought to assimilate the Chinese into the broader Indonesian identity.

What was the impact of the forced assimilation on the ethnic Chinese community in Indonesia?

The forced assimilation led to the loss of cultural identity for many ethnic Chinese, especially those born after 1966, who were disconnected from their ancestral roots. This resulted in a loss of cultural continuity and heritage for several generations.

How did the Chinese community in Indonesia become a target of violence during the May 1998 riots?

During the May 1998 riots, ethnic Chinese individuals became the victims of mass violence, including sexual assaults and looting. The violence was fueled by economic disparities and long-standing anti-Chinese sentiment, which had been exacerbated by the New Order regime.

What is the long-term impact of the New Order's forced assimilation on the ethnic Chinese community in Indonesia?

The long-term impact includes a profound disconnection from the Chinese community's cultural and historical heritage. Many Chinese Indonesians, particularly those born after 1966, struggle to reconnect with their roots due to the systematic erasure of their identity by the state.