INDONESIA: ELECTION: CHINESE COMMUNITY HOPES FOR FUTURE

(24 May 1999) Eng/Indonesian

As Indonesia's general election approaches, sections of the Chinese community are expressing hope and confidence about their future.

Just a year after mobs attacked their shops and homes, political parties are emerging to make their voices heard.

In Surabaya, Indonesia's second city, campaigners take their message through the streets of Chinatown.

In its temples, life appears to go on as normal, but many say a change has come over the community.

For the first time in decades ethnic Chinese are beginning to practise their culture openly.

The huge political changes that followed the downfall of President Suharto have led to a new confidence.

Markus Sajogo has been a lawyer in Surabaya for many years, and speaks for many when he talks optimistically about the future.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Here in Indonesia, according to my point of view, we are still expecting some good future for us where we will be treated as Indonesians, even though they say from my outlook that I come from China."
SUPER CAPTION: Markus Sajogo, Lawyer

Last year thousands of Chinese-owned businesses and homes were destroyed by mobs, following the fall of Suharto.

Small in number but economically powerful, the Chinese have long been resented by many Indonesians.

Now, politicians like the powerful Amien Rais are chasing their votes and promising them a new deal.

It may be more than just rhetoric.

In the past year, men like Lieus Sungkharisma have formed a host of Chinese organisations and the community is now developing a political voice.

SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
"They've come up like mushrooms after the rain. So the interest is very high, and the formation of the China Reform Party is encouraging them. That's a real expression of bravery that never happened in the past."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieus Sungkharisma, The China Reform Party

However, some analysts believe a watershed has been reached and passed, and there are genuine grounds for optimism.

SOUNDBITE: (Indonesia)
"I see that great changes have taken place. The riots, lootings and mass rapes of May of last year were sort of the lowest point in the history of repression of the Chinese in Indonesia and I don't think people will take any of that again."
SUPER CAPTION: :Dede Oetomo, lecturer at Airlangga University, Surabaya

But despite the optimism the memories of last year's riots remain and many Chinese have already shut up their shops and fled until the election is over.

They fear the violence could start all over again.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Of course I am worried about this as a Chinese because you know this country is not safe yet."
SUPER CAPTION: Lenny Gunawan

The weeks ahead may indicate if a better era is on the cards, or whether the Chinese community's optimism about their future status in Indonesian society is misplaced.

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