Prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians and the Xinyimin in Indonesia : an integrated threat approach : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at Massey University, Wellington Campus, New Zealand

Abstract

Latent tension has long defined the relationship between Chinese Indonesians and the Pribumi (native Indonesians). Political violence against Chinese Indonesians has occurred from time to time, from pre-independence Indonesia to the Suharto era. Rooted in Dutch colonial legacies that framed the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia as perpetual outsiders, prejudice toward them has persisted for centuries and even continues under the current administration. Furthermore, China’s rising influence in Southeast Asia has brought an influx of new Chinese migrants (Xinyimin) to the region, including Indonesia, intensifying perceptions of threats and prejudice.

This study uses Stephan & Stephan’s integrated threat theory to explore how perceived threats relate to prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians and the Xinyimin working in Indonesia. Using multiple regression analyses, this study found negative stereotypes, realistic threat, history of intergroup conflict, and age act as significant predictors of prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians, and that history of intergroup conflict and contact influence the perception of economic threats toward the Xinyimin in Indonesia. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications for integrated threat and prejudice are discussed.