nonpribumi

Nonpribumi is a socio-political term used in Indonesia to denote residents who are not considered indigenous to the archipelago, contrasted with pribumi, meaning native or indigenous. The exact boundaries of who is labeled nonpribumi vary by context and over time, but the category often includes descendants of communities with long-standing immigrant roots in Indonesia—such as ethnic Chinese, Indian, Arab, and other groups—and sometimes broader non-pribumi residents. It is important to note that nonpribumi is not a formal legal status; Indonesian nationality and equal protection under the law apply regardless of ethnic label.

In public discourse, the pribumi/nonpribumi distinction has been used in debates about political representation, access to programs, and special rights that have been framed as favoring native populations. Critics argue that the label can reinforce ethnic divisions, fuel discrimination, and complicate citizenship. Supporters may view the distinction as reflecting historical demographics or a means to address past inequities, though concrete policy tools have varied and are contested.

The term is primarily found in Indonesian-language media and political commentary and is sometimes paralleled by Malaysia’s bumiputera, which governs similar but country-specific policies. Overall, nonpribumi remains a controversial social label rather than a formal legal category, reflecting ongoing tensions over identity, citizenship, and inclusion in multiethnic societies.