Indonesia Culture/Malaysia Culture

Music, ASEAN Issues |

By MAJOR TOM | September 7, 2009

There's an interesting issue brimming between the two Southeast Asian neighbors - Indonesia and Malaysia - one that has caught the news world just today. It's in fact a broiling issue that threatens to overflow --- amounting even to a call for war.

Just lately, Indonesia has accused Malaysia of plagiarizing its culture when the latter used a Balinese dance --- the Balinese Pendet Dance --- to promote a TV Program aimed at imbibing tourism.

Malaysia has since apologized and had canceled the use of the disputed dance. Yet, tempers remain high as Indonesian protesters trooped to the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta and pelted it with unlikely missiles, from rotten eggs to ninja bladed stars --- mind you. And some of them thought war could ensue. Now that’s really a serious consequence just for a mix-up on a cultural dance, getting overboard somehow.

But there’s a positive thing I see in this brewing controversy for it only shows how these two countries feel so much passionately about their culture.

Contrary perhaps to the fact that some of us do not even think about it anymore, not in this ultra-high speed, modern age that we are living right now.

Still, I must say that Indonesia and Malaysia should hold their horses and refrain from going to war (pun intended) based on the misuse of a Balinese Pendet Dance. Historically, speaking the two countries share so much in terms of culture and civilizing influence, a fusion that goes back to so many centuries ago, even as far back as the empiric age of Sri Vijaya and Majapahit (7th to 13th Century). And even with the Philippines, cultural affiances are myriad and overwhelming.

In this age, the Hindu culture from across the ocean had made very deep inroads into the Malay Archipelago and into the vast Indonesian islands. This had happened in a time long before the Arabs and Chinese came, for trade or religious duty.

In this manner, mix-ups or confusion with cultural items or matters would surely ensue, and could not actually be negated completely. To this, there should be understanding and indulgence between the two Southeast Asian countries, two nations that are often at odds with each other, even going to war in the 1960’s in dispute of Borneo(Konfrontasi).

And besides, it’s time that Southeast Asian countries should band together culturally and not be so mindful of minor cultural differences. Culture is best apprehended and appreciated when it is shared especially to the ones that are near and adjacent.

By the way, as an upshot of this controversy, some Indonesians started to point out that the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku (My Country) , was merely a copycat of an Indonesian song Terang Bulang (Bright Moon). This is true in some point since the two songs, Negaraku and Terang Bulan are adaptations of an old French melody that was so popular in the entire Malay peninsula in the 17th century.

Now this one could actually inflame and flare-up nationalistic and patriotic feelings and sentiments since we are already speaking of a national anthem here, and not merely a cultural dance.

I hope the leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia would be wise enough to calm the fierce debate at the soonest time possible and be able to resolve it in the most reasonable of manner.

10 Comments »

1. Brahm says; September 8, 2009 @ 12:36 pm

   The majority of 220 million Indonesians are very pissed off about this because it's not the first time. You can browse the problem objectively from 5 years past.

   Anyway, Bali's culture is so different with Malayan culture. Unless we're talking about Borneo or Sumatran culture, you must know, there are a lot of different cultures between the neighbors. You don't need a microscope to see it.

   However, Indonesia won't give a war to Malaysia. Maybe the grass root wants it badly, but come on. The war? Nowadays? In South-east Asia? It's irrational! So bring the peace. Be the good neighbors, can't we?

2. bw says; September 9, 2009 @ 7:42 am

   I have heard of countries going to war because of football but not because of plagiarization of culture !

3. lo says; September 9, 2009 @ 9:43 am

   Stumbled here by accident.

   You should probably get your stories straight from both sides of the party. Firstly, Malaysia had not apologised for the Pendet Dance issue, primarily because Malaysia had nothing to do with the TV promotion. In fact, they protested against the misuse which is done by a third party (a private company based in Singapore). This third party had since apologised and the Indonesian government acknowledge the misunderstanding. All this and still the egg-pelting and flag-burning and talks of war.

   Secondly, the said Konfrontasi in the 1960's did not happen on mutual decision per se. To cut a long story somewhat short: Malaysia wanted to build a country --> Indonesia protested against it with the accusation that Malaysia is forcing north Borneo into a merge --> Malaysia agreed to let the UN do a poll on the people of north Borneo --> UN found that majority of north Borneo do want to merge --> Malaysia planned to proceed with the federation --> Indonesia invaded Malaysia and declared war, despite their accusation proven wrong by the UN.

   tl;dr but Indonesia should stop blowing things out of proportion and Malaysia should grow a backbone.

4. Sidney says; September 9, 2009 @ 8:00 pm

   That is a bit over the edge...

5. [splice] says; September 12, 2009 @ 1:46 pm

   The "conflict" between these two nations speaks a lot. I would have to agree that, unlike most Filipinos, Malaysians and Indonesians have a firm grasp of their culture. They won't let others sully what they see as part of their heritage. Unfortunately, that has become our weakness as a nation. Our leaders, most especially Gloria, is more than willing to shove our national integrity aside for the sake of having deals with other sovereign states and international entities. The good intention may be there, albeit deprived of much substance, but it still sends the wrong signals to other countries. Which is that we do not care about our national patrimony so long as we get something for breakfast, or something to that effect. As far as this country is concerned, I won't be surprised if one day we end up living in a house that is no longer ours.

6. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:15 pm

   To Brahmn: Definitely, the two countries have been at odds for many times before. Considering also that Philippines and Malaysia had been in heated debate over Sabah. But that's just the way it is I think. We just hope ASEAN could forge better relationships among its members. And besides, we are lucky that the lower SEA countries have no border troubles as devastating as that in the Indo-China part of SEA.

7. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:16 pm

   To BW: Apparently bro, it was that inane that the quarrels somehow had settled.

8. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:17 pm

   To lo: That might as well be Lo but you know, lots of stories on this issue, and I could be reading the inexact ones. But I am glad that the issue had been settled reasonably and thank you very much for the further clarifications.

9. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:19 pm

   To Sidney: It was a little funny and comedic I think. I mean some may just have over-reacted you know.

10. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:22 pm

    To Splice: Haha...you made me laugh Splice, such stinging sarcasm. But hey, it's the truth. In this administration, culture had been left out. We do not see any patent program on this aspect of our nation. Like we become feather in thw wind, without foothold.

    The re-invention of our culture should be a priority righht now or we'd be lost, like you said.

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