ESCALATING THREATS ON CHINESE-MALAY INTERACTION

Abstract

The research aims to explore the dynamics of fragile interaction between Chinese and Malay throughout Northern Coast of West Kalimantan. It covers historical, social, economic, political and theological issues which arise among the population. The curiousity lays not only on the fact that differences between the two exist in terms of race they were born with, religion they adhere, culture they practice, ways they behave, language they speak with, but also on currently developing issues involving Indonesian Chinese role in politics and the giantic emergence of People Republic of China to the world. Thus, altogether result in a common sense among many Malay which they can not avoid, their fear of being “the next Singapore.” To achieve the above objective, qualitative approach is employed primarily. A number of key informants along Northern Coast of West Kalimantan were interviewed deeply, concepts were developed, hypotheses were dynamicly rejected and accepted. Then, when understanding came into shape, Focused Group Discussion held. Finally, to cross-check with and to satisfy the question of what lay people say of the topics, 90 questionnaires were distributed to 9 research volunteers. They questioned 90 informants of the two entities and check-listed the available options in Likert Scale. Hopefuly, the findings of this research could offer a neat socio-cultural and political engineering to solve a very near potential conflict between the two entities, Chinese and Malay in Northern Coast of West Kalimantan. The research is also aiming to be published in an accredited journal and to be honoured by intellectual right (HAKI).