Batik is one of the many cultural heritages that Indonesia and Malaysia share and have both claimed as their own to gain international recognition.
Last October UNESCO declared that Indonesia be allowed to add batik to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
A subtle reminder of this issue came as Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who normally wears a western style suit and tie, changed into batik shortly after being greeted by his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman.
The latter was wearing a bright-colored shimmering batik shirt when he welcomed Marty at Le Meridien Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Monday, for much-anticipated preliminary talks on a border spat.
However it was unclear whether Marty had changed his clothes to match Anifah or because of a dress-code slip-up.
The incident seemed to suggest early efforts of goodwill, as both sides sought to tone down severe condemnation against Malaysia in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities.
Marty and Anifah met to discuss maritime borders after the Aug. 13 arrest of three Indonesian inspectors by the Malaysian Police.
The officials said they had caught seven Malaysian fishermen red-handed illegally fishing in Indonesian waters in Riau Islands province, one of several areas disputed by Indonesia and Malaysia.
The meeting had been scheduled for October but was brought forward to this month in response to high tensions due to the spat.
Prior to the one-on-one meeting, each minister met their respective delegations for briefing on recent developments in a senior official meeting Sunday.
No tensions were apparent between the foreign ministers after the four-hour session.
Critics said following the meeting that the two sides had discussed little expect scheduling subsequent meetings.
Expectations ahead of the meeting had been high, particularly in Indonesia, for Malaysia to apologize for arresting the Indonesian inspectors.
The most far-fetched demands in Indonesia called for all out war with their neighbor as intensive media coverage kindled tensions.
In the end, both ministers said they regretted the incident, with neither apologizing.
It was not entirely a surprise, as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had earlier toned down the war drums, saying that more efforts at diplomacy were expected to “thoroughly” settle border disputes.
Anifah had maintained that the Malaysian Police had made the arrest in accordance with the law, while Marty insisted the arrest was made in Indonesian waters, and filed a diplomatic note of protest.
Marty said the talks were a success for Indonesia’s diplomacy as Malaysia had announced it would not handcuff or force Indonesian officers to wear prisoner uniforms if arrested by Malaysia in the latter’s territory.
“Imagine; the Malaysian government has exempted only [Indonesian officers] from its [arrest] procedures, not any other countries’ officers. This is a result of our diplomacy and communications with Malaysia,” Marty said after the meeting.
Like Marty, the Malaysian media highlighted the success of the negotiations, with Indonesia and Malaysia agreeing to intensify border negotiations throughout the rest of the year.
Many Indonesians were left scratching their heads — diplomacy it appeared, was a long grueling process and not always headline material.
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