Recent history, post-Reformasi Era
Soon after Abdurrahman Wahid came into power, he quickly abolished
some of the discriminatory laws in efforts to improve race
relationships. He encouraged Chinese Indonesian literature and
culture. He also designated the Chinese lunar new year as a
national holiday.
Chinese Indonesians are now in the era of rediscovery. Many younger
generations, who cannot speak Mandarin due to the ban decades
earlier, choose to learn Mandarin, as many learning centers open
throughout the country. Stores now can openly show Chinese
characters. Dragon dances and Lion dances are shown in public in
many places without special permits or supervision.
The Chinese culture is starting to be embraced by even the popular
media, who widely covers Chinese New Year celebrations and even
broadcasts TV shows on Feng Shui and news in Chinese language in
Indonesian television and radio, like Metro TV and Cakrawala
broadscast radio.
A small number of Chinese Indonesians also regained the courage to
get involved in politics and created new political parties, from
one, (Kwik Kian Gie) was appointed minister in 1999. Chinese
Indonesians adopted the term Tionghoa to identify themselves. The
term Cina is deemed derogatory today due to its unfortunate
derogatory use in the past. Many Chinese Indonesians believe that
they are now one distinct part of Indonesia.
[edit] See also
so books cannot? lion dance can? 
