Yesterday I watched television. I saw something that really disturbing me. It says that Malaysia used 'tari pendet' for their commercial. There is also big titles that say 'Visit Malaysia 2009' and 'Malaysia Truly Asia'. What a quite shocking news. We are from Indonesian know that 'tari pendet' is originally comes from Bali.
It is not the first time that Malaysia used Indonesian's cultures for their own. I still remember that Malaysia also claim that 'reog' (originally from Java) is their culture. They also claim 'wayang kulit' is from Malaysia!. Wow.. What is all about? What exactly is Malaysia want from these. What is their purpose?
I ask my dad "Dad.. Are we supposed to claim our cultures to UNICEF or something, so other country won't use our cultures for their own?"
My dad said "Nonsense! Everyone know that 'wayang, and tari pendet' are originally from Indonesia. Supposed we said that 'sushi and sumpit' are originally from Indonesia. Who will gonna believe it? Everyone know that they are from Japan. No need to claim it. It's just nonsense!"
I couldn't agree more with my dad. No need to claim for something that everyone knows. It's just a matter of respect.
Although that what Malaysia did is inapropriate, we need to see ourselves and ask "Do we care about our cultures if Malaysia doesn't use it for their tv commercial?"
I think we are not.
I think we do not know about our culture itself.
Our nationality is been asked now.
should we stand and pretend like nothing happen?
or we can keep preserve our culture by respecting it and proud of it.
Proud that we have a lot of beautiful and unique cultures not like any other contry could have.
The choice is on us.
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