Text your say: Cultural dispute

Your comments on Malaysia’s plan to recognize the Tortor dance and the gondang sambilan instrument from North Sumatra as part of its national heritage:

We all understand the fact that Malaysia has been so arrogant toward us for ages. They always look down on us,
Indonesia.

If we just sit calm and let them do whatever they please so freely, I’m pretty sure very soon in the future they will crush our hearts.

Suyanto
Bangka

If it’s just a part of its cultural heritage, it’s okay, but not as part of its national heritage. The former chief of staff of the Royal Malaysian Navy is a nephew of the late Gen. Abdul Haris Nasution, former Indonesian armed forces chief. I too have relatives over there, so do millions of other Indonesians.

So let’s talk. Make it clear.

E Nurdin
Jakarta

We simply cannot deny that Indonesia and Malaysia are two side of the same coin. The commercial unavoidable upheavals in the past have actually created separations among brothers, who have become Filipinos, Indonesians and Malaysians.

When we get out of the house and look up, all the three of us see langit (the sky).  Why don’t we dig out our similarities and together cultivate them for unity and peace?

Why search for differences when together, hand-in-hand, we can find similarities in our smiles?

That is why we have our respective ambassadors.

Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta

The claim by Malaysia toward several of our cultural products as their national heritage is a blessing in disguise. Lately we have ignored the existence of these cultural products and only a very few have practiced and performed these dances.

Hopefully, our people should not only get angry, but also start to practice, perform, enjoy and appreciate these elements of our culture.                    

Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta

Bataks own some of these things, not Malaysians.

Peter Vance

Dear friends, be wise. Everybody knows that Tortor is a Batak dance and gordang sambilan is a Mandailing music instrument.

Many Batak and Mandailing descendants live in Malaysia. The Malaysian government tries to “legalize” the traditions of their ancestors. Is it wrong?

Maybe it would be better that they communicate with the Indonesian government first.

What about barongsai? Are the Chinese angry when the dance is performed anywhere else? No. I think they are proud of it instead.

So can be the Bataks and Mandailing of Indonesia.

Before you get angry, try to sit around the table and negotiate. There is always a way to solve such conflicts without using insulting phrases.

Be wise, dear friends.

Mihail Florin Ionescu

There wouldn’t have been any problem if the Malaysian government did proper research before making scurrilous claims, which are very easily made in this Internet age.

I believe it’s okay for the Indonesian government to voice their protests.

When I eat in a Malaysian restaurant that serves rendang as Malaysian food, I’d go and tell the manager that is not correct.

Well, try telling the Chinese people that noodles originated in Italy just because they have pasta there.

Jaytee

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