ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that Indonesians overseas are not a homogeneous diaspora and that the Indonesian refugee communities, for whom issues of displacement, return and longing for the home country are paramount, differ considerably from those of other Indonesian migrant communities. Conflict-generated Indonesian diasporas are emotionally charged, causing considerable difference in their activities overseas. Longing to return to the Moluccas and marginalized in the Netherlands, the Moluccan diaspora became increasingly politicized, and its political engagement went through several stages. In 1966, a government in exile was formed in the Netherlands. In the 1970s, the diaspora went through a fundamental radicalization and engaged in violent acts to draw attention to the Moluccan cause. Many Indonesians overseas and their kin maintain links with other Indonesians abroad and frequently form cultural associations and ensembles. Social and cultural activities not only enhance cohesion among Indonesians in their host countries, but also help them connect with friends and family back home, and with their home country.
