Of course Malaysian people want to be one step ahead of Indonesians. They'll try anything they can to be better than us, but the fact is Indonesian sources are more exclusive and richer than what Malaysia has.
Indonesian songs are very simple, enjoyable and modern and they make easy listening.
Malaysian songs are just ordinary. Keep on rolling guys, create the best you can.
SHEVANY
Jakarta
I wonder why these guys are so upset that the public are listening enthusiastically to Indonesian songs.
Is it because Indonesian songs made him feel unpleasant? What about western songs, would they do the same thing?
Here the market mechanisms work, and demand is key. When Malaysian musicians enter the music market here, people accept them with no objections from local musicians.
What they need to do is just learn from the current situation. This means they have to learn more from our musicians.
Like it or not, the public has proved Indonesian musicians are better. And broadcasters are right to follow the market.
MUSICIANS
Jakarta
This issue is obviously evidence that Indonesian people are more creative than Malaysians are in the arts.
They can only copy our songs, like our traditional song Rasa Sayange. They don't know how to create a masterpiece like Indonesians do.
ANDHEE
Jakarta
Not surprisingly, Indonesians are a lot more creative than Malaysians. Why worry? One of Malaysia's top singers, Siti Nurhaliza, also enjoys brisk sales in Indonesia.
TATU FUAD MAULANI
Jakarta
Why don't you organize a referendum with your listeners? Then you know what your consumers really want! Towards an economy of question and answer! Good luck!
Just googled "Indonesia plus news" that I found in this article while listening to Indonesian music! Isn't that karma? Plus I even lived in Medan when I was a little kid! So I felt a little bit responsible to help in this brainstorm and to write this comment as a consumer and as a friend!
PETER DAUB
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
If you want to restrict Indonesian songs, then you can't keep P. Ramli (aka Ramli Puteh) who came originally from west Aceh as your legend.
Ahmad Abdullah Badawi, why don't you ask your artists in this era to be more creative like their seniors; Sheila Majid, Fairuz, Siti Nurhalisa, Too Phat, Zainal Abidin, etc; who could compete with Indonesian artists in 90's.
YON
Jakarta
As a British citizen working in Indonesia, one of the first things that impressed me was the quality of Indonesian popular music. I can't think of a Malaysian act that even comes close to Peter Pan or Radja.
Perhaps the difference is that in Indonesia, artists are mostly free from state interference whereas in Malaysia they have to be very careful what they sing about.
DAVID
Jakarta
Why don't Malaysian musicians be more creative? Do you remember that Amy Search used to sell his music to Indonesians?
JOHANA
Jakarta
I'd like to make it clear that the mentioned step is not the government competing. The government of Malaysia doesn't have any say in this thing whatsoever.
The only problem is those Malaysians who can't produce good songs and can't compete with your songs from Indonesia.
Hereby I'd like everyone to know that Malaysian music lovers are not supporting this restriction.
We love Indonesian music because of the poor quality of the majority of our artists.
It's not a nationalism war or anything, and it isn't political either -- it's just some losers from the Music Body who can't produce music as good as yours.
MUSIC LOVER
Kuala Lumpur
