A growing number of Chinese Indonesians are winning political offices

Daniel Johan at a march in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, on Feb. 5, 2023. [Courtesy, VOA]

This October, 45-year-old Kevin Wu will serve in the Jakarta House of Regional Representatives for the first time, becoming part of a minority of ethnic Chinese elected officials in the Indonesian legislative body. Wu has been a staunch advocate for Chinese-Indonesian rights since 2008 and helped to establish a Buddhist house of worship in the predominantly Muslim country. Now, he is an entrepreneur who advocates for small businesses.

"If we witness injustice, we have two choices - to accept our fate or to strive and hope for change. I chose to do the latter," he said.