February 18, 2002
Chinese New Year for Indonesia
President Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia announced on the weekend that Indonesia would celebrate Chinese New Year by an official holiday from next year. Only 4% of the Indonesian population is Chinese but Chinese business controls a significant proportion of Indonesian business. It is a surprising move by Megawati that may grate with the more fundementalist Muslims who were alarmed by Wahid Abdurrahman's previous reforms in favour of the Chinese. Many saw Wahid's decisions to lift a ban against the teaching of Confucianism and to allow the use of Chinese names as being a significant factor in his loss of support. The Rat was in Jakarta just after Wahid's announcements. Chinese dragons were evident from the streets in Chinatown to Chinese art performances in the Hard Rock Cafe. However, the celebration of Indonesian multi-culturalism only preceeded a period of downfall for Wahid, as reforms were seen to be moving too fast for an Indonesian new political elite who only put him there to keep the seat warm. Nevertheless, the announcement is a great step forward for a multicultural and tolerant Indonesia. Lets hope it is more than just symbolism. Chao Phraya River Rat in Asia Culture on February 18, 2002 06:24 PM |
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As we know that Indo-Chinese got the human right to officially celebrate Chinese New Year following the announcement make by President Megawati. Any other races must respect their custom and culture.What feeling if same situation and occasion apply to you...please be more mature and tolerant.. thank you
Hello,
I live in Paris, where I was born from Indonesian parents.
I don't think anybody can tell how many Chinese there are in Ondonesia, if only because you would have to define what a Chinese is. Some Indonesians still consider themselves as Chinese, but others regard themselves as of CHinese descent.
Then there are all those who are no longer considered as Chinese. Many "native" Indonesians have Chinese ancestors, especially amongst the nobility and merchant class in places such as the Northern coast of Java or in cities like Palembang. In my own family there is a tradition that says we have Chinese ancestors, although we belong to Javanese and Sumatranese nobility.
The Chinese have been coming to Indonesia for centuries and have played a major role in the archipelago's history and culture. Islam was brought to Java by Chinese traders. Javanese classical literature depicts Moslem Chinese characters who played a role in the downfall of the ancient Hindu Javanese kingdom of Majapahit.
I suppose the decision to make the Chinese New Year an official holiday is a political gesture to tell Indonesians of Chinese descent that they have been indeed mistreated while they are part of the nation.
In my view what is surprising is not the move in itself, but the fact that other official holidays are religious ones except for (Gregorian) New Year and Independence Day. That makes the position of Chinese New Year quite peculiar but I believe Indonesia had to do this gesture.
Posted by: Anda Djoehana Wiradikarta on February 17, 2003 03:50 PMthailand is by far the most successful country in assimilating overseas chinese into their
society..
the chinese of china have changed
the singaporeans are a youthful
soceity and us chinese need to be remembered of our heritage..
............may the wealth of indonesian
chinese be shared to the people in the
countryside........ before the volcanoes
errupt..after all the land belongs to them.
peace on earth.. chinese new year
is just a small matter..