A potpourri of culture..sometimes misunderstood

I was told by a friend of some Indonesians consternation that in a Tv advert about Malaysia , a Bali dance was portrayed as a Malaysian heritage.... while being amused by such triviality i checked out in more details on the controversy:

THE so-called Tourism Malaysia advertisement that ruffled the feathers of Indonesians over depiction of its Balinese pendet dancers was not even a Tourism Malaysia advertisement after all.

The controversial commercial in question was actually a promotional clip put together by Discovery Channel to highlight a series of documentaries, produced by KRU Studios, calledEnigmatic Malaysia aimed at highlighting Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.

In a statement sent to Malay Mail, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific stated the image of Balinese dancers were used in a clip, aired on Discovery Channel, to promote the documentary series Enigmatic Malaysia and the image of the dancers, performing the pendet, were sourced from an independent third party.

It added, “Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific regrets that the image of a Balinese dancer, sourced from an independent third party, was used in the promotion of the series Enigmatic Malaysia

Phew..just don't understand the controversy , maybe there was indeed an error of judgement but cant we all realise that we are from the same potpourri of cultures, enriched by a common heritage that was initially spawned by the Majapahit and Sri Vijaya empires.

Now we may be distinguished ourselves as Indonesians or Malaysians but it was not such a long time ago that when the borders were not there free movement of people of these two great nations visited each other in a spirit of "serumpun' and commonality not only in religion but culture.

I remembered in my young days in the 60s relatives from the "Pulau"(Riau islands..) came by boat and visit us in Kuching.

We Malaysians must also rid ourselves of any prejudicial feeling towards our neighbours just because we have better highways, one tend to forget that once and hopefully even now we look up to our Brethren in Indonesia for their deep philosophical views(Hamka for one..) and of course the great movies of Ratno Timoer, Rano Karno and Sophan Sophian.

The multiracial and potpourri of cultures that has enriched the Malay archipelago and the "nusantara" indeed is not just an identity of Malaysia but also for Brunei, Singapore and most important of all our big brother Indonesia.

i fervently still believed in the fact that Indonesia will come out of its present lethargy and be our role model not only in terms of economic power but a shining example of a democratic nation that has its bedrock a clear understanding that it is in the differences and potpourri of cultures that all our Nations derive their strength and fortitude.

I still though cant see any great difference in a Bali dance and a Kelantanese wayang kulit though