Indonesians in Focus: Suyenti

By Barrie | August 14th, 2007 | No Comments

After more than three decades of suppression under Soeharto, Chinese culture is now blossoming in Indonesia. Since the fall of the authoritarian president in 1998, Indonesians have begun to recognize Chinese cultural practices.

In 1999, restrictions on the practice of Confucianism were lifted and Imlek (Chinese Lunar New Year) was declared a national holiday.

One of the most recent celebrations of Chinese culture here was the Miss Chinese Cosmo Pageant Indonesia Contest, which was this year won by college student Suyenti.

“I am proud of my Chinese (roots),” said the 19-year-old in fluent Mandarin in response to a question from the event’s host from Phoenix TV Hong Kong, during the pageant final at Mulia Senayan Hotel in Jakarta recently.

Suyenti defeated 19 other contestants from across the country. vying for the crown. The judges, including former Miss Indonesia Indira Sudiro, senior hair stylist Peter F. Saerang and businesswoman Dian M. Soedarjo, were particularly impressed by her self-confidence.

Many Chinese-Indonesians in the country have struggled against discrimination, particularly in the past when they were forced to discard their ethnic identities and change their names to Indonesian ones.

They have also been the victims of violence and riots. According to the National Commission on Anti Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), dozens of Chinese-Indonesian women were raped during the riots of May 1998.

Now, the state’s recognition of Chinese cultural expressions is welcomed by many people, including Suyenti, whose Chinese name is Fang Xiao Yan.

“I’m very glad that now Indonesia and its people recognize Chinese-Indonesians as an inseparable part of country,” said Suyenti, who was born in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra, on Jan. 19, 1988.

Suyenti said she celebrated Imlek, though many Chinese-Indonesians did not because of the conflict with their religious beliefs.

“As the youngest child (in the family), I always receive angpao (envelope of money) from my brothers, parents and relatives during Imlek,” she said.

A student at the Singapore Business and Management College in Medan, Suyenti sings Batak songs as beautifully as she does Mandarin ones, thanks in part to her Batak grandfather.

To sharpen her knowledge of Chinese culture and improve her Mandarin, Suyenti will stay in Beijing for three weeks next month. This will also give her the chance to prepare for the Miss Chinese Cosmo Pageant International Contest in Hong Kong in November.

“It’s not only about Chinese culture. In the international contest, I will also promote tourist destinations in Indonesia and its diverse cultures. I hope Indonesians pray for me to win the contest,” she said.

She once won a contest sponsored by a cosmetics company in Medan and also a singing contest sponsored by a radio station in her hometown.

“I learned by myself, including walking on the catwalk. Only for the Miss Chinese Cosmo Pageant did I get professional coaching,” she said.

Asked whether she would choose to become a professional model after winning the contest, Suyenti just smiled.

“I want to be a businesswoman. I want to increase my business and managerial skills,” she said firmly.

A. Junaidi