Cemetery Squatting and Anti-Chinese Tensions: Insights from Central Java

Abstract

Over the centuries, the Chinese minority in I ndonesia has l ived in an envi ronment characterized by social tensions. This pa­ per wi l l explore Chinese-Javanese relations in the microcosm of a Javanese squatter settlement that has invaded a Chinese cemetery. Four issues wi l l be considered which will i l lustrate the nature of long-standing tensions between these two eth­ nic groups: 1 ) the manner in which info rmal secto r housing is developed; 2) economic att itudes of the Javanese with respect to the Chinese; 3) the relationship of the Chinese to law and authority and how confl ict resolution is approached; and 4) the l inguistic context of Chinese-Javanese re lations. Although cemetery squatt ing has been an incremental process, it has been the result of a fundamental perception of the weak posi­ t ion of the Chinese in Javanese society. S imi larly, the i l legal occupation of land also results f rom perceptions that both the Chinese and publ ic officials wi l l u l t imately acquiesce to the squatters' aspi rations.