The phrase “Overseas Indonesians” is not widely recognized as a distinct, established concept in scholarly literature or major reference works. Consequently, there is insufficient encyclopedic information specifically under this term.
Possible Interpretation
In general usage, “Overseas Indonesians” can be understood to refer to individuals of Indonesian origin who reside outside the Republic of Indonesia. This informal designation overlaps with the more commonly used term Indonesian diaspora, which denotes Indonesian emigrants and their descendants living abroad. The diaspora includes temporary migrant workers, permanent residents, and members of the Indonesian diaspora communities established in countries such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, and Singapore.
Etymological Notes
- Overseas: from Middle English “overseas,” meaning “across the sea.”
- Indonesian: pertaining to Indonesia, a Southeast Asian nation comprising the world’s fourth‑largest archipelago.
Contextual Usage
The expression may appear in:
- Media reports discussing the economic impact of remittances sent by Indonesians working abroad.
- Government publications that address the welfare, legal status, or diplomatic support for Indonesian citizens living outside national borders.
- Academic studies on migration patterns that describe “overseas Indonesians” as a subset of the broader diaspora.
Because the term lacks a dedicated entry in authoritative encyclopedias and is not standardized in academic discourse, any further detailed discussion would be speculative. For comprehensive information, reference sources on the Indonesian diaspora or Indonesian migrant workers are recommended.