JAKARTA, June 20 (Bernama) -- Despite Malaysia''s clarification that it has
no intention of claiming ownership of the Mandailing Tor-Tor dance and Gordang
Sambilan (Nine Great Drumbeats), the Indonesian media continue to play up the
issue by alleging that Malaysia wants to steal these cultural elements.
Today, a group of 20 students from Mpu Tantular University here held a
demonstration and threw eggs at the entrance of the Malaysian embassy in
Kuningan, South Jakarta, flying over the heads of several Indonesian policemen
guarding the main gate.
They did this towards the end of their 40-minute demonstration which began
at 1.30pm.
Several students gave speeches during the demonstration and hurled abusive
words, condemning Malaysia.
Controversy over the Mandailing Tor-Tor dance and Gordang Sambilan began
when Indonesia picked up a statement by Malaysia''s Information, Communications
and Culture Miniser Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim on June 14 in Kuala Lumpur that the
two art forms would be recognised as Malaysian cultural heritage.
-- MORE
MANDAILING-EMBASSY 2 (LAST) JAKARTA
This triggered angry reactions from Indonesians, accusing Malaysia of
wanting to register the Mandailing culture as its own.
Malaysia''s Information, Communications and Culture Ministry and Malaysian
Mandailing Community Association have clarified to the Indonesian embassy in
Kuala Lumpur the actual stand on the matter which was then conveyed to the
Indonesian government.
Besides that, the Malaysian embassy here explained to two senators of
Mandailing and Batak Sumatra Utara ethnicity that acknowledgement of the
culture did not mean ownership by Malaysia.
The Mandailing community in Malaysia has long struggled for the
acknowledgement, as they want their culture to be nationally recognised like
the culture of the Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups in the country.
-- BERNAMA
AFY AFY RON IZ MO