Nine Dragons (Indonesian: Sembilan Naga) is a term referring to a group of influential businessmen of Chinese descent in Indonesia, especially those who had close ties with the New Order government.
The term "Nine Dragons" emerged during the New Order era, which was characterized by mutually beneficial relationships between businessmen and the government.
[1][3][4] The group was associated with illicit businesses such as gambling, drugs, and smuggling, and was considered above the law due to strong backing from authorities.
[1] The "Nine Dragons" are considered to have made significant contributions to Indonesia's economic growth, especially during the New Order era, with their massive investments in various sectors.
[4] However, their dominance has also raised concerns about monopolistic practices, economic inequality, and lack of fair competition.