This essay was inspired by the 2002 Anthropology International Symposium in Padang, where a participant wasn’t convinced that Pancasila still works as integrating factor, hence the government is challenged to find the replacement on how to integrate this multicultural society.

A study on the Hadrami community in Jakarta may provide a potential solution as while this community is perceived strictly maintaining an endogamy marriage which is recognised as a hampering factor in integration, however on the other hand they have no problem to immerse with the indegenous. Some argue that sharing Islam plays an important contribution to this matter, however I am in doubt that religious difference makes a person to be perceived as other.

My doubt is supported by those who believe that social gap, particularly economic gap is the obstacle factor for integration among Chinese in Indonesia. Those who reject the changing of the economic structure as a solution have suggested abolishing the endogamy and cultural identity as the solution. I do not share this argument myself, as many research evidence suggests that the Hadrami community maintains both their endogamy marriage as well as their cultural tradition, however they have no problem at all in integrating themselves with the Indonesian people. If different belief system, endogamy marriage and tradition persistence are not identified as obstacle factors on the integration process, the question is which factors eases the Hadrami to immerse themselves among the Indonesian community.

The daily evidence suggests that although social transformation has dominated the post reformation era, the diversity in Indonesia still demands serious attention. Ethnic riots as well as religious conflict have occurred in Indonesia since. Due to the argument above on the Hadrami, this writing is expected to help identify the solution for a multicultural policy which in turn could minimize social cultural problems due to heterogenity in this country. This solution suggests a bottom up solution to accomplish the Pancasila as the top down one.

Key words: social transformation; multicultural policy; cultural heterogenety; tradition persistence; endogamy marriage.