HOPPING MAD INDONESIANS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003289

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP, EAP/MLS, DRL/PHD
NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV SMIG SOCI ID MY
SUBJECT: HOPPING MAD INDONESIANS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST
MALAYSIA

REF: A. JAKARTA 2901


B. JAKARTA 2394

C. JAKARTA 2825

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b-d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesians regularly complain about
Malaysia, but emotions have swirled to a new level over
claims of infringement of Indonesia's most cherished
resource--its culture. Accusing Malaysia of brazenly
stealing a traditional East Javan dance, more than a 1,000
demonstrators clamored in front of the Malaysian Embassy in
Jakarta on November 29, objecting to use of the dance in a
tourist promotion ad. This latest tiff comes on top of
widespread outrage over other recent incidents and reflects
Indonesia's rising nationalism toward its wealthier neighbor.
END SUMMARY.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS


2. (SBU) Some Indonesians are hopping mad with Malaysia.
The thousand-plus protesters who rallied in front of the
Malaysian Embassy November 29 donned colorful traditional
costumes, danced, and carried signs saying, "Malaysia thief!"
and "Plagarism." They were protesting Malaysia's alleged
appropriation of a popular East Javanese traditional dance,
the "Reog Ponorogo." "We want the Malaysian government to
stop copying our cultural heritage," a member of the Jakarta
"Reog" association told the media. Malaysia has adapted this
dance, along with an equally popular folksong, "Rasa Sayang"
("Feeling of Love"),as part of Malaysia's international
tourism promotion campaign, "Truly Asia" (ref A). Malaysian
Ambassador to Indonesia Zainal Abidin Zain addressed
protestors November 29 saying that Malaysia never claimed the
dance originated in Malaysia but rather that it is now
popular in Malaysia.


3. (C) Indonesian artists are at the forefront of the latest
protests. A popular musician, Dwiki Dharmawan, told us he
can understand Malaysia claiming that Malay ethnic culture is
shared by the two (Malay-dominated) countries. He claimed,
however,that the disputed song and dance are "distinctly"
Indonesian. In addition, many Indonesians have asserted to
us that "Malaysians don't have their own culture so they
steal Indonesia's." "They should find their own identity!"
one contact exclaimed.

A WIDESPREAD FEELING


4. (C) The protest was clearly a valve for pent-up emotions.
A prominent editor with a leading magazine, Yuli Ismartono,
explained to DepPol/C, "Indonesians are pretty sick and tired
(of Malaysia). This (protest) is a backlash regarding
treatment of Indonesians by Malaysians, harassing our maids,
stealing our islands." (Note: The two countries are
disputing the Ligatan and Sipadan islands which are
controlled by Malaysia.) The editor was referring to such
incidents as the apparent beating of an Indonesian karate
coach by Malaysian police in August (ref
B),the detention of the wife of an Indonesian diplomat
as an illegal immigrant in October (ref A),and a series of
highly publicized cases of abuse against Indonesian migrant
workers in Malaysia (ref C).


5. (C) Ismartono and other well-known cultural figures told
us that Indonesians are also directing their frustration at
the GOI for not doing more to protect its own people and
culture. Garin Nugroho, filmmaker and IPR activist, told us
the government needs "to inventory and declare its cultural
heritage" in order to protect it from foreign infringement.
The musician Dwiki, however, told DepPol/C the issue is not
so much copyrights as pride. He said Malaysia has moved
ahead of Indonesia economically so treats
Indonesia--including its many Indonesian migrant
workers--with "arrogance," breeding resentment.

ROCKY RELATIONS


6. (C) The GOI is under some pressure: the number of
incidents involving Malaysia has piled up. The government,
however, has been placed in the difficult position of
defending national pride while still maintaining cordial

JAKARTA 00003289 002 OF 002


relations with an important, wealthy neighbor. Malaysia has
worked in a positive manner in trying to calm down the
situation. In any case, Indonesian sentiment is far from
leading to a return of Sukarno-era "Konfrontasi" (a policy of
confrontation) and could even be healthy if funneled into
constructive dialogue on such issues as protecting Indonesian
migrant workers.
HUME