Mega still tops for Indonesia-Chinese

Mega still tops for Indonesia-Chinese

Leo Suryadinata, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore

Now the dust has settled, one interesting question is how the
ethnic Chinese voted in both rounds of Indonesia's presidential
election.

In the first round, all five candidates -- Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Wiranto, Amien Rais and Hamzah
Haz -- vouched that they would, if elected, treat the Chinese
justly and equally. They would also rescind any existing
discriminatory laws and policies.

Responding positively to these overtures, the Chinese were,
however, also aware some candidates may be friendlier to them
than others. These did not include three of the five: Wiranto,
Amien and Hamzah. Wiranto was rumored to have been involved in
the May 1998 anti-Chinese riots; Amien was no longer considered a
'nationalist' but an 'Islamist'; and Hamzah, an Islamist, was
least appealing to the Chinese.

By contrast, Susilo, the coordinating security minister in the
Megawati Cabinet before he was sacked and de facto leader of the
new Democrat Party, had a relatively clean image. Trained in the
United States, he was seen as a moderate Muslim who favored a
secular Pancasila state.

However, he formed an alliance with the Crescent and Star
Party (PBB), an Islamist set-up that advocates syariah law for
Indonesia. Also, he selected as his running mate Jusuf Kalla, a
rich Muslim businessman and strong advocate of nativist policies
that favor the pribumis, or sons of the soil.

Perceived to be anti-Chinese and anti-Christian, Kalla was
quoted during the campaign as saying the new government may
reopen debt issue cases involving Chinese tycoons. Susilo,
however, insisted he is a pluralist and will treat all ethnic
groups equally.

The Chinese were apparently unconvinced. Throwing their
support behind Megawati, who is seen as a secularist and one
friendlier to the Chinese -- she even declared Chinese New Year a
national holiday and the Chinese had not been worse off in her
administration -- it was a case of better the devil you know than
one you don't. Even her running mate, Hasyim Muzadi of the
Nahdlatul Ulama, was considered by Chinese to be a moderate
Muslim.

Of course, it would be wrong to suggest all Chinese
Indonesians voted for Megawati. The older generation, especially
businessmen, and those who are culturally more Chinese, did
support her, but those who are more integrated into Indonesian
society, the better-educated and those who aren't in big business
tended to support Susilo, whom they perceive as someone who will
not only improve Indonesian security and economic conditions but
is also a nationalist who will be fair to all ethnic groups.

Then came the run-off election on Sept. 20. This was quite
similar to the first round, except for the Australian embassy
bombing in Jakarta on Sept 9. For many, the blast suggested Ms
Megawati was unable to handle the security issue.

Nevertheless, terrorism was not the main issue. The economy,
corruption, education and unemployment took centrestage. Again,
both candidates campaigned for the Chinese vote.

Kalla went to Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown, last month to talk
with some Chinese businessmen, during which he insisted he was
not anti-Chinese, but to no avail. Moreover, Susilo's alliance
with the radical Islamic parties, PBB and Prosperous Justice
Party (PKS), colored his candidacy.

Then there was his military background, which worried those
who recalled the May 1998 anti-Chinese riots many believed were
supported by the armed forces.

This is not to say Susilo was without Chinese supporters. A
young and respected economic analyst, Lin Che Wei, openly
endorsed his candidacy. In fact, Susilo's party even included a
newly-elected Chinese Member of Parliament.

However, Megawati had more Chinese supporters. In her party
were at least four newly-elected Chinese MPs, including big
businessman Murdaya Poo. A few days before the run-off election,
a Hakka organization even went to visit Megawati to express
support.

In the event, the Chinese vote wasn't enough to improve Ms
Megawati's fortunes. She still lost.

Some Chinese are now worried a Susilo administration may
introduce affirmative action policies stacked against their
interests.

But many observers feel that since his immediate task would be
to create more jobs and draw in foreign investment, Susilo will
need the full cooperation of Chinese business. It's probably fair
to surmise that, in the short term at least, he is unlikely to
adopt any policy inimical to his objectives and programs.

The Chinese can breathe easier -- for now.

The writer is a senior research fellow at the Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies.