“Tak kan Melayu Hilang di Bumi” (Malay will not disappear from the earth), this word was said by Hang Tuah centuries ago for insisting that the existence of Malay culture has no boundaries of time and geography. This word today is manifested through the Malays‘ way of life accompanied by preserving culture, ethic and norms in the whole aspects of modern life, including in economy and politic.

But who are considered as Malays? This question raised by Alfitra Salamm, a researcher of LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Science) and a head of the founder team of the special autonomy of Riau, when he was visiting the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture (BKPBM) in Yogyakarta-Indonesia on June 30, 2007. The same question was addressed by Apprinus Salamm, an observer of Indonesian literature from the Gadjah Mada University (UGM). During two hours of dialogue with the crews of Melayuonline.com, Alfitra presented special autonomy agenda of Riau province. The dialogue in general discussed several issues related to Indonesian Malays, particularly in cultural and economical aspects.

Many problems whether at national or local level faced by Indonesian Malays tend to uproot them from their culture. Rebuilding both identity and personality of Malays therefore becomes priority in the agenda of special autonomy of Riau Province. Increasing Malays‘ quality, alongside for reaching the aims above, is also purposed to bring Malay back to Indonesia. “Unlike Malaysia and Brunei that preserve strongly Malay identity, Indonesia reluctantly maintains the Malay cultural heritage. This fact urges us to attempt persistently in bringing Malay back to Indonesia to not be understood by the world that Malay is only in Malaysia and Brunei”, said Alfitra. Furthermore he explained that the Malay identity is not always identical with Islam, but in larger understanding, it is identical with religiosity. He said, “Malay in Indonesia, as I understand today, is not Islamic Malay, but rather as Malay religiosity that scatters throughout 19 provinces”. Indeed, in Indonesia there are various understanding and bordering of Malay. The divergences should be discussed continuously in in-depth dialogue. For this purpose, Alfitra called all the crews of Melayuonline.com to reformulate the definition of Indonesian Malay in the modern context.

To bring back Malay to Indonesia, according to Alfitra, will be begun by suggesting Riau as a special province with upholding Malay as its very culture. This because, based on historical fact, Riau was the center of Malay culture in the past. Alfitra argued that special autonomy will provide large opportunity to the regional government in both observing and forcing Riau‘s economic potency. The economical strength will certainly be able to protect the Malay culture in Riau. “In Malaysia, for instance, both symbol and meaning of Malay become stronger and stronger since it is protected under the political umbrella. Whoever he is, and from what ethnic he is, is considered as Malay when he has been recognized as Malaysia‘s citizen”, explained Mahyudin Al Mudra, the head of the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture, and the general manager of Melayuonline.com. It proves that political backing is important in preserving a culture. Both Alfitra and Mahyudin therefore see the importance of special province to actualize the goal.

For sustaining the goal, Alfitra puts the target date in August 2009. The special province of Riau, as planned, will use Malay terms for all structural positions of the regional government. “Pemangku Provinsi”, for instance, will be used instead of governor. Such a Malay symbol, according to Alfitra, is needed to carry back Malay to Indonesia. Special autonomy of the Riau Province will concern both economy and culture.

Alfitra‘s understanding on Malay clearly differs from Melayuonline‘s. Alfitra tends to border Malay with geographical boundary, while Melayuonline.com stresses the similarity of culture of Malay society in the entire world. Mahyudin highlighted, “The Malay culture is not owned by a certain nation, but owned by all Malays in the world”. Indeed, at the political level, both Alfitra and Mahyudin have the same idea, but at the cultural level they have a different perspective.

Aprinus realized there is a different perspective from both sides in viewing Malay. “It is true that Alfitra‘s understanding is narrower than that of Melayuonline.com, but it is not fundamental divergence. Bordering a narrow meaning of Malay in the Riau Province is merely in geopolitical aspect, however, in realization, Riau will support Malay development in the entire world”, Aprinus explains.

Aprinus remarked that Melayuonline.com is bringing an overwhelming task, “Melayuonline.com has stepped further in globalizing Malay and malayizing the world. Since Melayuonline.com globalizes Malay, it gradually carries Malay back to Indonesia.”

Seeing the great steps done by Melayuonline.com, Alfitra promised to support this portal in implementing its futuristic plans that orientates to build universally human civilization. Alfitra will pleasurably collaborate with the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture in holding half yearly plan such as national seminar. The first seminar will be on “The Malay Culture in Indonesian Political Constellation” by inviting various Malay communities in Indonesia. The result of the seminar will be published in book to enrich the Malay literature. Melayuonline.com with its variety of futuristic plan gives evidence that Malay will not disappear from this world. (RI/ter/9/8-07)

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