RI-KL heritage dispute

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 10/08/2007 8:30 AM  |  Opinion

I read with great interest that Indonesian legislators have suggested the Indonesian government may sue Malaysia for using the song Rasa Sayange in its tourist promotions, (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 2).

The history of our two countries is so intertwined -especially in the early years - where Bugis, Acehnese, Mandailings, Malays etc migrated and settled here and now form the bulk of our population.

Even today we have Indonesians coming in from Kalimantan to settle in East Malaysia. In such a situation it is inevitable that they carry their culture with them, and it is indeed possible that 'Rasa Sayange' has its roots in Indonesia.

Even our national anthem Negara-ku whose tune was taken from the Perak State anthem Terang Bulan is said to have come from foreign shores - Indonesia perhaps? It is very difficult to sue someone, let alone a country, on matters like this where copyright does not exist.

Rather than kicking up the dust, may I suggest that Indonesia uses this to its advantage. If I were an advertising or PR consultant for Indonesian Tourism I would suggest that tourists come see the real thing rather than a copy.

This goes for batik, wayang kulit etc which no doubt came with the early Malay Settlers (I use this term broadly) across the Straits of Malacca.

If the Malays are not indigenous to Malaysia then it is likely that Malay culture (music etc) was also transplanted from another place.

I am a frequent visitor to Indonesia. It has so much to offer tourists, it's a wonderful place.

Even if we did purloin your song/s or other cultural forms you should be magnanimous and treat them as 'gifts' from an Abang (elder brother) to an Adek (younger brother).

YIN EE KIONG
Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia

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