An absolutely interesting question here.
Indonesia has always been a rich country. In fact a very rich country.
I stayed in Manado, which is located in North Sulawesi, for 1 year in 2003-2004. There is a saying (in Indonesia language) there - "Biar kalah nasi, jangan kalah gaya". Google translate this to "I'll lose the rice, do not lose the style."
Their priority is luxurious items first, food later. I did asked a local friend who worked in a small retail outlet selling mobile phone, about his daily sales. He replied about USD 10000. I was stunned. I assured you this figure is not off the mark, as I did spend few days sitting at the shop watching people buying mobile phone. That was 2003, and Manado is a very small town, so far away from Jakarta. Most of the local people earn a monthly salary of between USD100 - USD500.
I met some wealthy Chinese people there. Most of them have business in Singapore, and Thailand. They have lots of land in Indonesia. Their house is like palace. They send their children to western country for higher education, and their children probably will not come back to Indonesia.
I am not sure what the Indonesian Chinese thought of China. I only know the old Chinese people are more Chinese than Malaysian Chinese. The younger Chinese have been, more or less, localized. Many of them don't even understand a Chinese word.
No idea whether the wealthy people will invest their money into Chinese coins. Few years ago when I was collecting banknotes, I did meet a young collector who spends load of money on top quality banknotes. Really, really rich young man, perhaps from a rich family.
