T

he Indonesian government has pledged to verify if the use of the popular Balinese Pendet dance in Malaysia's tourism ads was the latter's attempt to claim it as their own.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik asserted there were no reasons for Malaysia to exploit Pendet dance without permission from the Indonesian government.

"I will directly talk with the culture minister of Malaysia on Monday to seek their motives *on the use of Pendet dance* and to find out who made the ads," Jero said in an interview aired on a private televison channel on Sunday.

"The entire world knows the Pendet dance belongs to Bali. So it is a must for Malaysia to get the permits first from Indonesia before using it."

He said Malaysia's tourism ads for "Visit Malaysia Year" with Pendet dance were aired on the Discovery Channel.

"I will also find out whose project it was and if it was funded privately or by the Malaysian government."

The Pendet dance in the ad was used as a welcome dance. Each dancer carries a traditional bowl filled with flowers, to be strewn among the audience.

Member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Ida Ayu Agung Mas and Balinese artists staged a protest against the Malaysian government at the Denpasar Art Center on Saturday.

Jero said the two governments had earlier reached an agreement to discuss any "gray" issues related to cultural heritage before making the claim public.

"But the Pendet dance is not a gray issue. Anyone seeing the costumes used in Pendet dance will know it clearly belongs to Bali."

He claimed his office had submitted strong protests to Malaysia two years ago over the latter's claims concerning several cultural heritages that belonged to Indonesia.

Indonesia and Malaysia have experienced ups and down in their relationships since the latter made claims on cultural heritage believed to originate from Indonesia, including Reog Ponorogo, an ancient tradition of dance and performance.

Malaysia also claimed the ownership rights to traditional song Rasa Sayange (Feeling of Love) and used it in its tourism promotion.

Indonesia said it was a popular folk song from Maluku.

Jero said he would report the case to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after his talks with the Malaysian government on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Sunday his office would clarify the case with the Malaysian government.

"It is very unlikely Malaysia wants to claim it since the dance has been very popular in Bali."

He said the two countries could ask the Eminent Persons Group (EGP) formed by the two governments to discuss the problems in a relaxed environment.

Faizasyah called on Indonesians to avoid being emotional in response to the issue, since it was not clear whether the ads were made by the government or private firms.

Artists have long demanded the Indonesian government make an inventory of all artistic products and patent them so they could not be easily claimed by other countries.