Cultural Issues Should Not Become Polemic

Kuala Lumpur - The issue of ownership rights over culture between Indonesia and Malaysia should not become polemic as they could be amicably resolved through discussions, said Indonesia`s Culture and Tourism Department director-general, Tjetjep Suparman.

In reference to this, he said the demonstration held in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta late last year over the issue was not only unwarranted but could also adversely affect Malaysia-Indonesia relations.

"The governments of both countries are in the process of holding discussions to resolve the issue of ownership rights over cultural elements like folk songs and traditional dances which raised controversy in both countries," he told reporters at the Asia-Europe Culture Ministers Meeting (Asem CCM) which ended here Wednesday.

"We are from the same Malay stock. There had been migration of people from Java and Sumatra who brought with them their culture like songs, music, dances and food to Malaysia," he said.

Tjetjep opined that Malay culture needed to be introduced to the rest of the world but it should not be commercialised "if the origin or ownership is unknown to avoid the issue of royalty payment".

He was responding to claims that Malaysia was promoting the Barongan dance said to be copied from the Javanese mask dance known as Reog Ponorogo.

The controversy resulted in 1,000 Indonesian Barongan dancers to demonstrate in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta last December.

In another incident, an Indonesian parliamentarian demanded action against Malaysia for using the "Rasa Sayang" folk song as the signature song for its "Truly Asia" tourism campaign in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Source: www.bernama.com
Credit Photo: 16.photobucket.com

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