Racism in Indonesia
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The country's national motto originates from an ancient Javanese proverb, Bhineka Tunggal Ika, signifying that unity persists amidst diversity. In spite of this, racism is prevalent in both the state and public treatment of certain groups, especially minorities.
Demographic background[edit]
Indonesia boasts a diverse society, comprising of 1,340 officially recognized ethnic groups.[1][2] The predominant ethnic groups in Indonesia are the Javanese and Sundanese people, primarily concentrated in specific regions of Java and Southern Sumatra islands. They are closely followed in numbers by the Malays, Batak, Madurese, Betawi, Minangkabau, and Bugis ethnic groups.[3] In general, the majority of ethnic groups in Indonesia are indigenous to the country, originating from specific regions within Indonesia. However, due to transmigration, substantial proportions of these ethnic groups have settled outside their original indigenous regions. Indonesia is also host to a variety of non-indigenous ethnic groups, including Arabs, Chinese, Indians, Indos (people with mixed native Indonesian and Dutch or other European ancestry), and Japanese.
The diverse array of ethnic groups in Indonesia sometimes allows for the distinction of certain groups based on physical appearances. However, it's important to note that such characteristics may not provide an accurate determination of ethnicity, given the influence of racial intermarriage within the population. For instance, ethnic Lampung and Minahasan people may be erroneously identified as East Asian, usually condensed as Chinese or Orang Tionghoa, due to shared physical traits and phenotypes.[4][5] This resemblance could be a result of interracial marriage, potentially involving an East Asian ancestor.
Racist sentiments in Modern Indonesia[edit]
Anti-Chinese sentiments
Discrimination against Indonesians with Chinese ancestry has been documented since the era of the Dutch East Indies. Instances of anti-Chinese settlements have taken various forms, including violence and systemic changes in legislation. Attacks targeting Chinese Indonesians typically involve violence against their properties. Instances of killings and assaults have occurred in various historical events, including the incidents in Batavia in 1740, Tangerang in 1946, the aftermath of the 30 September Movement in 1965, and the May 1998 riots.[6]
Under the Sukarno regime in 1958, all Chinese Indonesians were mandated to declare their intention to remain Indonesian citizens. By 1959, those who were not citizens were prohibited from conducting business outside of urban areas. Discrimination persisted into the New Order era led by Soeharto, during which Chinese Indonesians were encouraged to adopt Indonesian-sounding names, prohibited from publicly practicing their traditions and speak Chinese languages, and required to provide additional proof of citizenship.[7] A total of forty-five discriminatory laws were enacted during the New Order, which was ultimately revoked in subsequent presidencies.[6]
Despite the repeal of discriminatory laws, instances of anti-Chinese sentiments have continued to be uncovered. For example, on March 15, 2016, Indonesian Army General Surya Prabowo made a controversial statement, suggesting that the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, should understand his place as a Chinese Indonesian minority. Furthermore, he reminded all Chinese Indonesians to refrain from being arrogant or sok jago. This remark was seen as evoking past violence against the Indonesian Chinese community.[8]
Furthermore, the situation with Ahok has initiated more anti-Chinese sentiments by Muslim communities, such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). A member of the organization has expressed a desire to "rid Jakarta of all ethnic Chinese residents," with more accusing Chinese Indonesians of being "communist sympathizers" and an "enemy of Islam," despite the presence of a minority within the ethnic group being Muslim.[9]
Chinese Indonesians have also been faced with various stereotypes, such as being pelit (stingy), westernized, rude, and rich.[10][11] Additional stereotypes involve the assumption that, as an ethnic minority group, Chinese Indonesians predominantly adhere to minority religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Interestingly, Chinese Indonesians who follow Islam are viewed as anomalies by both Indonesians and other Chinese Indonesians. This perspective is influenced by the historical incidents related to Indonesian unity that have impacted perceptions of diversity within the community.[12]
More recently, Belinda Christina, the winner of MasterChef Indonesia Season 11 of Chinese ancestry, has become the center of a significant controversy. Netizens expressed dissatisfaction, contending that Belinda was not deserving of the win, and suggested that Kiki, the runner-up of Batak ethnicity, should have been the rightful winner.[13] While the controversy may not have initially been framed as a racial issue, many netizens suspect that MasterChef Indonesia may have subjected Kiki and Belinda to a disproportionate assessment influenced by race and social status. Additionally, the longstanding trend of Chinese Indonesians winning MasterChef Indonesia has fueled concerns about racial and social discrimination in the competition, leading to the emergence of the term "MasterChef Chindo".Numerous racial comments surfaced on social media platforms such as X and Instagram. For instance, a netizen remarked, "it doesn't matter that she [Belinda] cannot cut beef, as long as she is Chinese Indonesian, she'll win".[14][15]
Anti-Papua sentiments
Papuans, particularly West Papuans, are an ethnic group indigenous to the Papua island, located at the Eastern border of Indonesia. While being recognized as Indonesian, the Papuan identity has maintained a distinctiveness from the broader Indonesian identity, which may stem from both physical differences and systemic racial discrimination.[16][17] Moreover, individuals within the state and the general population have harbored enduring prejudices against those of Papuan descent. Racist notions include labeling Papuans as "trouble-makers," being "intellectually slow," and living a "primitive" lifestyle.[18] Additionally, there is a widespread belief that members of this ethnic group are secret members of the Free Papua Movement, an independence separatist movement seeking to establish a new country encompassing the current Indonesian-administered provinces of Central Papua, Highland Papua, Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, and West Papua.[19]
In August 2019, protests erupted in different regions in response to racially motivated attacks against Papuan students in Surabaya. The incident involved an attack on a dormitory of Papuan students who were accused of disrespecting the Indonesian flag just days before the commemoration of Indonesia's independence day. They were subjected to various derogatory slurs, such as monyet (monkey), anjing (dog), and babi (pig), each carrying offensive meanings. Instead of managing the crowd, the police surrounded the dormitory and requested the Papuan students to surrender themselves to the authorities.[20] Protests against the racism continued, but the police responded with excessive force, such as firing tear gas and arresting 43 Papuan students. In the end, no evidence was found to support the accusation that the students had disrespected the Indonesian flag, and those Papuan students who had been taken in for questioning were eventually released.[21]
In 2020, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in the United States, which ignited the Black Lives Matter movement, Papuans initiated their own protest against racism, named Papuan Lives Matter. The Papuan Lives Matter movement sought to raise awareness about anti-racism issues and advocate for social justice for Papuans, employing digital media as a means of communication, akin to the Black Lives Matter movement.[22][23][24]
References[edit]
- ↑ Indonesia, Badan Pusat Statistik. "Kewarganegaraan Suku Bangsa Agama dan Bahasa Sehari-hari Penduduk Indonesia". www.bps.go.id (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Indonesia, Badan Pusat Statistik. "Mengulik Data Suku di Indonesia - Berita". www.bps.go.id (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "Indonesia's Population: Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing Political Landscape | ISEAS Publishing". bookshop.iseas.edu.sg. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "Orang Minahasa Mirip dengan Tionghoa". Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ iNews.id, Tim (2022-12-18). "Kenapa Orang Lampung Putih? Ternyata Ini Penyebabnya". iNews.ID (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tan, Mely G. (2008). Etnis Tionghoa Di Indonesia: Kumpulan Tulisan. Yayasan Obor Indonesia. ISBN 978-979-461-689-5. Search this book on
- ↑ Setiono, Benny G. (2008). Tionghoa Dalam Pusaran Politik (in Bahasa Indonesia). TransMedia. ISBN 978-979-799-052-7. Search this book on
- ↑ ""Cina Baik-baik" vs "Cina Sok Jago": Pancingan Rasisme Sang Jenderal". IndoPROGRESS (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Post, The Jakarta. "FPI threatens Chinese Indonesians". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Kompasiana.com (2023-04-26). "Stereotipe "Cina" Itu Pelit!". KOMPASIANA (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "What are some stereotypes of Chinese Indonesians from different regions of the country?". Quora. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Hidayat, Muhammad (2008). Orang Cina Muslim di kota Padang (Studi ldentitas Nasional Orang Cina Muslim di Kota Padang) (Thesis). Universitas Gadjah Mada.
- ↑ Liputan6.com (2023-11-30). "Netizen Mengamuk Pasca Belinda Kalahkan Kiki di MCI, Chef Juna dan Renatta Dihantam 23.000 Komentar". liputan6.com (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Pratiwi, Wahyu (28 November 2023). "Jadi juara MasterChef Indonesia season 11 Belinda Christina kena hujat, netizen singgung soal rasis: Gak bisa potong daging asal Chind* bisa menang?". Hops.
- ↑ Rahman, Adi Fida. "Ribut Chindo Menang MasterChef, Netizen Ingatkan Awas Rasis". detikinet (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Wangge, Hipolitus. "Why Indonesia fails to address the West Papua conflict". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Varagur, Krithika (2023-12-18). "Black Lives Matter in Indonesia, Too". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Munro, Jenny (2019-09-06). "Let's talk more about racism in Indonesia". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "The current status of the Papuan pro-independence movement". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Media, Kompas Cyber (2019-12-25). "Kaleidoskop 2019: Pengepungan Asrama Mahasiwa Papua di Surabaya Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "Systemic Racism in Papua Must Be Removed Too! • Amnesty International Indonesia". Amnesty International Indonesia. 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Affairs, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World. "#Papuanlivesmatter: Youth Political Movements and Black Consciousness in West Papua". berkleycenter.georgetown.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ Rustandi, Fachri (2020-08-27). "What we talk about when we talk about Papua — STH Indonesia Jentera" (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ↑ "Will Indonesia's 'Papuan Lives Matter' Translate to Support for Independence?". Time. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
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