This is the PowerPoint presentation given at a colloquium held at Seijo University (Tokyo, Japan) on 6th Dec 2014. I was personally invited by Prof. Tomiyuki UESUGI to gave a public lecture at the colloquium about Ethnic Chinese identity after their forced repatriation to China in 1965.

1. Am I Indonesian?Am I Indonesian?
The Significance of Being Chinese in Contemporary TangerangThe Significance of Being Chinese in Contemporary Tangerang
Muhammad Reza ZainiMuhammad Reza Zaini
Research ProposalResearch Proposal

2. Research BackgroundResearch Background
• Ethnic Chinese constitutes one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia.
• Historical cases: The mainstream society questioned their allegiance or loyalty to Indonesia.
• Subsequently, there were discrimination cases which forced the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia to question their
view as an Indonesian –just like the ethnic Japanese in the USA during WW2. I will examine the Cina Bentengs
(1) The forced repatriation of Ethnic Chinese to Mainland China
(2) The Chinese massacre conducted by citizen soldiers (also known as “Gedoran”)
(3) The institutionalized economic discrimination of Ethnic Chinese

3. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
Source: J. Suhandinata, 2009
Year Event
1955 Indonesia and People’s Rep. of China signed a treaty to allow multiple
citizenship for Chinese-Indonesians.
1958 Indonesia ratified laws concerning naturalization of alien citizens.
1959 Indonesia and People’s Rep. of China began repatriation process. Overall,
estimated 140,000 Indonesians were repatriated to PRC.
1965 Failed Communist Coup D’etat took place in Indonesia. Indonesian
government accused PRC government involved in the coup.
1967 Indonesia ended its diplomatic relationship with PRC. As a result, about
100,000 Indonesians of Chinese descent became stateless.
(1) The forced repatriation of Ethnic Chinese to Mainland China

4. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(1) The forced repatriation of Ethnic Chinese to Mainland China

5. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(1) The forced repatriation of Ethnic Chinese to Mainland China

6. • This repatriation is usually described as a “voluntary” repatriation of dual nationalities.
• However, there are many cases where the repatriated Chinese-Indonesians were forcibly repatriated.
• Estimated about 140,000 Indonesians of Chinese descent were repatriated to mainland China.
Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(1) The forced repatriation of Ethnic Chinese to Mainland China
• Anthropologist D. Lumenta: Chinese-Indonesian in general faced severe alienation living in China (i.e.
Different way of living, language, economic system.

7. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(2) The Chinese massacre conducted by citizen soldiers (also known as “Gedoran”)
• Indonesia was under Japanese occupation (1942-1945). After Japan surrendered, the Dutch made two military
aggressions to Indonesia.
• One rumor stated that the ethnic Chinese were loyal to the Dutch. There was even a rumor of a Chinese
lowering an Indonesian flag in Tangerang Regency.
• Citizen soldiers and army officers later began to attack ethnic Chinese in Tangerang Regency because of their
“disloyalty” to Indonesia. This is “Gedoran”.

8. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(2) The Chinese massacre conducted by citizen soldiers (also known as “Gedoran”)

9. Historical BackgroundHistorical Background
(2) The Chinese massacre conducted by citizen soldiers (also known as “Gedoran”)

10. Aim of ResearchAim of Research
• Interesting phenomenon: Cina Benteng is one of the most culturally-assimilated Chinese.
• Interesting to see how the mainstream Indonesian public see Chinese-Indonesian: As one whole entity
• This research tries to see how the “Cina Benteng” community sees the significance of each of their identity
–especially their identity as an Indonesian citizen.
• No matter how assimilated the Cina Benteng are, but these incidents seemed to question Cina Benteng’s
Indonesian identity

11. • Living informants:
Aim of ResearchAim of Research

12. Suggestions, Critiques, Constructive Inputs, ClarificationSuggestions, Critiques, Constructive Inputs, Clarification
Muhammad Reza Zaini
E-Mail : reza.zaini@yahoo.com
Organization : SNV Netherlands Development Organization;
University of Indonesia
Academia Account : http://ui.academia.edu/MuhammmadRezaZaini
LinkedIn Account : https://id.linkedin.com/pub/muhammad-reza-
zaini/55/834/987
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