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Johannes Nugroho

Pageants are often associated with glamour, but for a segment of the Chinese community in Indonesia, they represent a gateway to wider acceptance in the predominantly Muslim country.
An increasingly popular event in East Java province exemplifies the growing societal integration of Chinese Indonesians and their hopes for the future under President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
On July 14, East Java’s Chinese-Indonesian community turned out in their best Peranakan attire for this year’s final of Koko and Cici – “Mister and Miss” in Hokkien – held in downtown Surabaya, the province’s capital.
Angie Laurentsia, the East Java Koci Foundation chairwoman, said: “This year’s pageant marks its fourth year running. We have gone from strength to strength with each passing year.”
The contest is held annually in 10 of Indonesia’s 37 provinces, including East Java.
Emil Dardak, Deputy Governor of East Java, said: “I’ve come every year to the Koko Cici, and I’ve always been impressed by how far it’s come along.”
The event’s guest of honour, who was accompanied by his actress-wife Arumi Bachsin, said Koko Cici was a “celebration of Indonesia’s diversity” and a “reminder of the glue which binds all the ethnic groups” of the nation.
“The pageant is a testimony to the centuries of contributions of the Chinese community to our society,” Emil said.

Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese minority, estimated to make up between 1.7 and 3 per cent of the country’s population of 270 million, were oppressed under the rule of the former strongman president Suharto. From 1967 to 1998, Chinese-language schools were closed while Chinese cultural expressions and festive celebrations were banned.
After the Suharto era, Chinese Indonesians gained wider acceptance across society as official discrimination against the community ended. More Chinese Indonesians are now in politics and public service, while festive events such as the Lunar New Year are allowed to be held in the country.
Peranakan refers to the group of descendants of Chinese immigrants who have settled in the Malay Archipelago, including Indonesia, and intermarried with local populations over the centuries. Their culture is an amalgam of Chinese and local traditions with unique practices, cuisine, and language.
Emil cited the example of dishes synonymous with Indonesia, such as bakso (meatball soup) and lumpia (spring rolls), which have their origin in Peranakan culture.
“Indonesian-Chinese heritage has merged into the Indonesian identity so that the two are now indistinguishable from one another.”
The successful organisation of the Koko Cici pageant in recent years was proof of the local Chinese community’s seamless integration into Indonesia, Emil said. Chinese Indonesians can also be the bridge to connect their country to Chinese-speaking communities around the world, he added.
“I’ve no doubt events held by the Chinese diaspora here will have a positive impact on our relations with China and other Chinese-speaking countries.”

His comments came amid closer trade ties between Indonesia and China in recent years.
China is Indonesia’s No. 1 trading partner and second-largest source of foreign direct investment. In 2023, China’s exports to Indonesia totalled US$36.4 billion, while Indonesia’s shipments to the world’s second-largest economy were valued at US$66 billion. China has invested a total of US$30.2 billion in Indonesia over the five years to 2023.
Sherly Angelina, winner of the Cici East Java 2022 title and a contestant in this year’s Miss Indonesia pageant, said the event was timely to usher in a new era of hope for the Chinese-Indonesian community ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo in October.
“I feel certain our community will continue to make valuable contributions to the country, as we always have.”
For Sherly, the Koko Cici was a platform for her to promote the Chinese Indonesian community and make a positive impact on society through the event’s charity work.
After Prabowo won February’s presidential election, some Chinese Indonesians expressed wariness about him becoming the country’s leader given his alleged involvement in the country’s tragic May 1998 riots, which saw thousands of Chinese homes and businesses attacked and looted while more than a hundred Chinese women were also raped. More than 1,000 people were also killed in the violence.
Prabowo has maintained he was not responsible for the riots. However, he has admitted his involvement in the kidnapping of student democracy activists that same year, which resulted in the then-general’s dismissal from the military.


King Gaudi, an elder of Surabaya’s Chinese-Indonesian community, is optimistic of the community’s future under Prabowo.
“Prabowo, like all his predecessors, is no racialist against Chinese Indonesians. Not many in this country are racist,” he said.
The 81-year-old said the minority of Indonesians who were prejudiced against the Chinese tended to be more vocal than the tolerant but silent majority.
Hendri Wijaya, 24, who came in second at the 2024 Koko Cici, said he had been thinking of ways to play the role of an ambassador of Chinese-Indonesian culture.
“I want to make it my mission to re-familiarise young Chinese Indonesians with our ancestral traditions, many of which have been lost over time.”
Fellow contestant Michelle Princessilia Heru, 20, said the community had been gaining more online attention in recent years, particularly through Chinese-Indonesian influencers.
“We’ve seen quite a few ‘Chindo’ [slang word meaning Chinese-Indonesian] influencers and internet celebrities make their way on social media, and that’s a positive sign.”

Among the Chinese-Indonesian influencers who have a wide reach on social media are Evelyn Hutani, Steven Wongso and Indah G.
While these influencers typically discuss Peranakan traditions, they should ensure their content does not oversimplify the community’s rich history, according to Michelle.
Kevin Sugiantoro, secretary of IPTI (Indonesian Chinese Youth Association) East Java Chapter, expressed optimism about the community’s future under Prabowo.
Calling on Chinese Indonesians to look ahead to the future, Sugiantoro said: “What is important is how we can make ourselves good and contributing members of Indonesian society. I urge all young Chinese Indonesians to make this a priority.”
King Gaudi also echoed the call for Chinese Indonesians to serve the wider community in the country. The retiree runs the Medayu Agung Library in Surabaya, a privately run institution dedicated to preserving books and manuscripts on Indonesia’s Peranakan history.
“It’s important to pass on the history to the younger generations lest they forget.”


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Hendri Wijaya (second from left), first runner-up of the Koko Cici pageant in East Java, poses with Surabaya Deputy Mayor Armuji MH (far left) and PTSMI Chairman Pepeng Wirawan (far left). Photo: Handout

Indonesian Chinese community leaders and government officials launch the final of the 2024 Koko Cici in Surabaya, East Java. Photo: Johannes Nugroho

Sherly Angelina, winner of Cici East Java 2022 and a Miss Indonesia 2024 contestant. Photo: Handout

First runner-up Koko East Java 2024 Hendri Wijaya (left) and Cici East Java 2024 finalist Chelsea Florencia. Photo: Handout

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The community faced decades of discrimination under Suharto and has only been integrated into Indonesian society in recent years


The community faced decades of discrimination under Suharto and has only been integrated into Indonesian society in recent years.


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