Two weeks ago, I was on the plane to Hong Kong and seated next two me is an Indonesian couple in their 60s. Conversation started in English when the stewardess was beginning to sell food and beverage to passengers and the husband asked me if I am from Malaysia. He told me he is from Jakarta and live 40-km off the city centre. He shared how both of them had to transit at the airport for 7 hours before boarding the next plane towards to Hong Kong. And they have to check out, collect baggage and check in again. Now we know why tourist arrival in Malaysia has increased in 2009 despite the economic bite! Jokingly, I told this is outcome of using low cost carriers.
We chatted for the next 2 hours of the 4-hour flight and I captured the followings:-
1. The Indonesian Chinese are generally happy with the current President SBY as he favours the business community, which are dominated by the Chinese;
2. There is only one Chinese minister (with Indonesian name) of the entire cabinet of President SBY;
3. Indonesia is trying to open up its economy for more FDIs and working hard to re-establish ties with China;
4. The diplomatic tie with China broke in the 1970s when Suharto was in power when he officially cut tie with the China due to his opposition to Communism
5. Suharto enforced the closure of Chinese schools and temples, removed all Chinese characters in whole of Indonesia, required Chinese to change to an Indonesian name, ruled that anyone portray Chinese characters or customs would be punished and many more;
6. Suharto and his family is definitely the richest man (even after his death) in Indonesia;
7. The real power behind Suharto is actually his wife, Ibu Tien, who is said to be capable of influencing and the force behind Suharto's decisions;
8. Ibu Tien is believed to have been shot by his son that caused her life to end in 1996;
9. The Chinese in Indonesia blames Suharto for all the riots, rapes and tortures towards the Chinese during his administration;
10. Almost all Chinese Indonesian born in 1970s cannot converse in Chinese due to Suharto's policies but their parents can do so perfectly;
11. Today, there are Chinese newspaper, schools, tuition centre, temples, CNY Celebration and other Chinese related customs;
12. The current President is well liked leader in Indonesian but sadly he will only be around for another 5-year term, having served his 1st year before 2009;
13. Indonesian Chinese has yet to identify which leader who can take over from SBY and they can only hope the next President is just as friendly;
14. The Chinese are wary of certain aspiring leaders who is eyeing to be the next President but there is nothing they can do about it because the Chinese is only made up of 10% of Indonesia population;
15. Young Indonesian Chinese would most probably see Indonesia as a place to live and work as they were educated in the Indonesian way. Chinese customs are rarely practiced.
In almost the entire conversation, we spoke in Mandarin and it was my first time speaking Mandarin with an Indonesian. I have friends from Indonesia, many are similar to my age. Now I know why. During this conversation, I am truly glad that I am a Malaysian Chinese where my life has been blessed with peace, stability and importantly, I can own and use Chinese name. Although many things can be better but change cannot be overnight but at least, in this part of the world, Chinese in Malaysia boleh-lah!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
We chatted for the next 2 hours of the 4-hour flight and I captured the followings:-
1. The Indonesian Chinese are generally happy with the current President SBY as he favours the business community, which are dominated by the Chinese;
2. There is only one Chinese minister (with Indonesian name) of the entire cabinet of President SBY;
3. Indonesia is trying to open up its economy for more FDIs and working hard to re-establish ties with China;
4. The diplomatic tie with China broke in the 1970s when Suharto was in power when he officially cut tie with the China due to his opposition to Communism
5. Suharto enforced the closure of Chinese schools and temples, removed all Chinese characters in whole of Indonesia, required Chinese to change to an Indonesian name, ruled that anyone portray Chinese characters or customs would be punished and many more;
6. Suharto and his family is definitely the richest man (even after his death) in Indonesia;
7. The real power behind Suharto is actually his wife, Ibu Tien, who is said to be capable of influencing and the force behind Suharto's decisions;
8. Ibu Tien is believed to have been shot by his son that caused her life to end in 1996;
9. The Chinese in Indonesia blames Suharto for all the riots, rapes and tortures towards the Chinese during his administration;
10. Almost all Chinese Indonesian born in 1970s cannot converse in Chinese due to Suharto's policies but their parents can do so perfectly;
11. Today, there are Chinese newspaper, schools, tuition centre, temples, CNY Celebration and other Chinese related customs;
12. The current President is well liked leader in Indonesian but sadly he will only be around for another 5-year term, having served his 1st year before 2009;
13. Indonesian Chinese has yet to identify which leader who can take over from SBY and they can only hope the next President is just as friendly;
14. The Chinese are wary of certain aspiring leaders who is eyeing to be the next President but there is nothing they can do about it because the Chinese is only made up of 10% of Indonesia population;
15. Young Indonesian Chinese would most probably see Indonesia as a place to live and work as they were educated in the Indonesian way. Chinese customs are rarely practiced.
In almost the entire conversation, we spoke in Mandarin and it was my first time speaking Mandarin with an Indonesian. I have friends from Indonesia, many are similar to my age. Now I know why. During this conversation, I am truly glad that I am a Malaysian Chinese where my life has been blessed with peace, stability and importantly, I can own and use Chinese name. Although many things can be better but change cannot be overnight but at least, in this part of the world, Chinese in Malaysia boleh-lah!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
