Between Institutional Marginalization and Identity Reconfiguration: The Impact of Indonesia's Political Transformation on Chinese Indonesian Political Identity

Abstract

As one of Southeast Asia's largest archipelagic nations, Indonesia's multicultural social fabric plays a crucial role in its development. This paper examines how changes in Indonesia’s political system have impacted the political identity of the Chinese community, focusing on institutional marginalization and identity reconfiguration. Despite longstanding marginalization in political, cultural, and social spheres, the post-1998 democratization reforms gradually expanded opportunities for Chinese political participation. Using a historical institutionalism framework, this study analyzes the evolution of Chinese political identity—from ambiguous status in the independence era, through assimilation under Suharto’s New Order, to gradual reconfiguration during democratization. It also discusses adaptive strategies such as political apathy, economic adaptation, and community-based identity spaces. Despite progress, challenges persist due to religious nationalism, socio-psychological barriers, and institutional constraints. Future reforms should prioritize reducing implicit discrimination and enhancing social integration to foster political equality and identity reconstruction.