MasterChef Indonesia faces heat over winner as ‘classic problem’ of ethnic tensions simmer

Fans’ disappointment over the choice of winner quickly escalated into accusations of racism in favour of the victor, who happens to be Chinese-Indonesian

Some observers said the issue had been blown out of proportion due to the rising political tension in the lead-up to Indonesia’s February election

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Belinda Christina (third from right) and her family after winning MasterChef Indonesia Season 11. The judge’s decision to award the top prize to Belinda evoked a wave of outrage online. Photo: Instagram/@belinda.mci11

Published: 2:00pm, 9 Dec 2023Updated: 7:46pm, 15 Dec 2023

MasterChef Indonesia (MCI), the archipelago nation’s edition of the popular TV cooking competition, has been in hot water since an Indonesian-Chinese chef was named the winner of the show’s latest season, a decision that has led to accusations of bias and racism that have boiled over into heated debate.

The controversy became so huge that the Indonesian slang term “Chindo” – short for Chinese-Indonesian – began to trend on the country’s social media for several days after MCI’s season 11 finale was aired on November 26.

The judges’ decision to award the top prize to Belinda Christina Sianto, who bested runner-up Rizkisyah Putra Singarimbun, popularly known as Kiki, evoked a wave of outrage online.

“The show has stooped low by crowning an undeserving champion! Kiki is still the true winner to me!” Surabaya-based fan Fitriani Pramono told This Week In Asia.

Rizkisyah Putra Singarimbun (left) congratulates Belinda Christina Sianto on her win. Photo: Handout

Many fans claimed Kiki had outperformed Belinda throughout the season, winning nine of the show’s challenges compared with Belinda’s five. They also argued that Kiki’s dishes received more praise from judges in the finale.

Their disappointment quickly degenerated into accusations of racism by the show in favour of Belinda, who happens to be “Chindo”. Netizens vented their frustration on social media, claiming to have stumbled upon a “discernible pattern” of winner selection by MCI.