An Innovative Experiment by Chinese Organisations in the Post-Suharto Era

Abstract

This paper explores the role and meaning of Chinese-Indonesian civic organisations, which have emerged in Indonesia since the fall of the Suharto regime in May 1998 in preventing recurring ethnic violence. The paper analyses relationships between Chinese and indigenous Indonesians and the sufferings of Chinese Indonesians before and during the May 1998 riots. The paper then investigates reactions of the Chinese community to the riots. It highlights the activities of inter-ethnic civic organisations including the Indonesian Chinese Association (INTI), Homeland Solidarity (SNB), the Indonesian Anti-Discrimination Movement (GANDI), and the Volunteer Team for Humanity (TRuK) in mobilising various stake-holders to fight for legal justice and protect minority rights in the post-Suharto era. Their endeavours are a new and innovative experiment in Indonesian history. The paper argues that in the post-Suharto era, the security of Chinese Indonesians is being improved as the activities of these inter-ethnic civic organisations and their networks build social trust and promote cooperation between Chinese and indigenous Indonesians.