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Issues: Letter: Should we hate Malaysia?
There has been a lot of hype and complaints from many Indonesians toward our fellow neighbor, Malaysia
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em>There has been a lot of hype and complaints from many Indonesians toward our fellow neighbor, Malaysia. It is an ongoing battle that seems to have no end. Currently, Indonesians are furious with Malaysia over the Pendet dance and its origins. Although there are new facts from the Discovery Channel that there was a third party involved with the misunderstanding, many Indonesia can't help but reject that notion. They strongly believe that it is the Malaysians' fault.
Lately, everywhere I go, I seem to hear people discussing this Malaysia-Indonesia dispute regarding the Pendet dance. More and more it seems that people are no longer fussing about Malaysia trying to steal the Pendet dance idea, but instead just clearly stating how much they hate Malaysia. Whether I'm in my dorm, at campus, or at a McDonald's, I hear the statement of "I hate Malaysia" constantly. People seem to hate talking about Malaysia, but can't help discussing them. That hate can be dated back to a long time ago. But the question in my mind still remains, should we hate Malaysia?
Your comments:
Malaysia, as a nation, grew and thrives as a multicultural melting pot. Throughout its history, each new group of settlers from other shores brought along and practiced their culture and language in Malaysia.
Naturally, Malaysia has come to regard all these diverse cultures as an integral part of its national fabric, without denying the countries of origin as the source of those cultures. In a way, it is part of a historical globalization, long before globalization became a catchword.
As such, Malaysia's promotional and tourism material feature these diverse cultures, and I have never heard of any Malaysian saying that the current issue on the Pendet dance as raised by Indonesians is an issue at all. We heard about the controversy, but hardly any Malaysian has given it serious attention.
In any case, Malaysian tourism promotional material also show Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and other cultures, but we never heard of the people or governments of China, India, Portugal or other countries making a fuss or hating Malaysia for it. Personally, I think the root of the problem is that Indonesians consider their country as the center of gravity for the larger Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago) and has historically viewed Malaysia as a little brother.
As the economic and social progress of the two countries take different courses and fortunes, the little brother grew in prominence, to the displeasure of the big brother. For example, long ago, Malaysians go to Indonesia for university education. Now, it is the other way round.
This and other developments have given rise to a collective sense of insecurity on the part of Indonesians, and the ensuing emotionalization and sensationalization of the issue has led to a rather dangerous radicalization and loss of reality and proper perspective and pragmatism.
Indonesian political leadership, who have to take care of both their domestic constituencies and external relations, compared to opposition politicians who are more inward looking and not burdened with the responsibility of international relations, cannot handle the issue effectively. Frankly, I think this is a sad development for Indonesia.
Jamal Ibrahim
Malaysia
The various controversies between Indonesia and Malaysia over cultural issues fall outside the traditional issues of geographical sovereignty which normally lead to military action.
But continuing irritation could lead to an atmosphere of hostilities which cause border violations to explode into military confrontations. It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Why can't Indonesians just feel flattered when Malaysia adopts Indonesian cultural icons as its own? Why are Indonesians so insecure about their own identity?
T. Cotton
Chonburi, Thailand
I, too, am so tired of hearing about everyone's hatred. Hating Malaysia won't do us any good. It is just something like a "considerable byproduct" What led Indonesian to hate Malaysia? As the saying goes, there's no going back to the past. But here, we need to do so.
Indonesia and Malaysia seem to be getting on well. But still, don't be so sure about that! Indonesia-Malaysia disputes have been a part of our history (as you said), so it's not solely about the current issue, but also the accumulation of the malignity since Sukarno's era in the 1960s In some ways, it is no wonder that Malaysia claimed our culture since they sensed we couldn't bring ours into the international market.
They will do anything necessary to promote their tourism industry, even if it means they have to claim our culture as theirs. All we have to do is to cast about for new ideas to fight against Malaysia's claims. Censuring Malaysia is somewhat unworthy.
Fajar Indra
Jakarta
I'm sick and tired of the arguments over Pendet, wayang, rendang, tacky songs, etc. Do most Indonesians know that we (the Dutch) drew the territorial boundaries? Indonesians and Malaysians were part of Nusantara. You should start dealing with this issue from a different perspective. The way you are handling this issue shows how uneducated you are. The media, too, is responsible for this madness.
I appreciate the efforts of some young Malaysians and Indonesians who are promoting discussion through the Indonesia-Malaysia Damai on Facebook. This kind of group is much healthier, compared with following stupid politicians who demand "Down with Malaysia" (ganyang Malaysia).
Helena van der Winden
Jakarta
The hatred of Malaysia is a reaction to their arrogance toward us. I have been to Malaysia several times and have observed their sickening racism. They say we are Malay brothers? It's a joke, let's stop this pretense.
It's there in the way that they treat you at the airport, in the five-star hotels; even the taxi driver gives you attitude. It's there if you walk into an expensive restaurant, they think you have made a mistake, or maybe you have come looking for a job washing dishes. I have seen how differently they treat Europeans, or Japanese, or someone from an affluent country.
Giarto
Jakarta
Hello Indonesia, I'm from Malaysia and many, many Malaysians, including me, didn't realize that we had been hurting you all these years. We definitely do not look on you as enemies or look down on you; in fact, we consider you brothers.
When I was in the United States, and there were no other Malaysians around, my closest friends were Indonesians because we ate the same food, spoke the same language, sometimes wore the same clothes, and even looked the same.
There was a natural closeness that we enjoyed because we were from the same part of the world. I have an uncle who is Indonesian. He moved to Indonesia 40 years ago. My aunt is a native Indonesian and my four cousins all look just like me. Are they Indonesian?
Yes. Can I hate them? No, because they are my own blood (and very handsome). As for the Pendet issue - will it help if we tell you again that a third party, an American firm was involved? The batik issue - I like Malaysian batik but all my sarongs are from Indonesia! Even my dad's sarongs are from Indonesia; he always says that Indonesian batik is the best!
As for the Rasa Sayang issue - I'm glad Indonesia invented it, so that many Malaysian could sing it over here.
On the Indonesian migrant workers issue, with over a million TKIs, there are bound to be a few cases of abuse, but this is a case where a few bad apples make the whole basket look rotten. Please give the rest of the Malaysians who work with TKIs a chance.
I know of many TKIs who are happy with their employers, in fact, they do not want to go home. Last, I would like to extend my apologies to all Indonesians who feel hurt by recent events. God bless Indonesia (and Malaysia).
Sarah Lee Abdullah
Kuala Lumpur
