"It is clear in our constitution that all citizens are equal before the law, so everyone, including those of Chinese descent, has equal rights and responsibilities as Indonesian citizens," the president said in a speech delivered at a Lunar New Year ceremony.

Public displays of Chinese culture and religious practices were banned under the three-decade rule of former dictator Suharto, who stepped down in 1998.

"This is not the time to differentiate (between) people based on their descent... it is not the time for us to discriminate against people based on their ethnic group. Let us build the spirit of togetherness to build a greater Indonesia," said Yudhoyono.