Najib turns blind eye to anti-Malaysian protests

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani (The Malaysian Insider)

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 - Datuk Seri Najib Razak played down today anti-Malaysian protests the past few days by Indonesians in Jakarta, insisting the apparent strain would not affect ties between the two countries.

Yesterday, Indonesian television showed a group of students from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta protesting against the presence of Malaysian students and burning the Malaysian flag.

Today, Indonesian students reportedly pelted the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta with rotten eggs. They also tried to raise an Indonesian flag at the embassy gates.

The latest attack was sparked by apparent anger over a belief in Indonesia that Malaysia’s national anthem had been copied from an Indonesian song, Terang Bulan.

The protests come on the back of the recent controversy over a Balinese dance being used to promote a satellite television show about Malaysia.

“The president SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) has told me that he wants a close and friendly relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia. The president also calls me personally about any issues regarding the two countries,” Najib said today.

But, despite the prime minister’s remarks, it has been apparent that Indonesia-Malaysia ties have been strained in recent months, especially over the Ambalat issue.

Indonesia claimed that Malaysian warships had entered the Ambalat area in the Sulawesi sea in early June.

Soon after that, Indonesia also stopped allowing its citizens from being sent to work as maids in Malaysia after reports of abuse by Malaysian employers.

***What is this, adding more tension after the Ambalat issue.

Being "serumpun" and so many similarities between these two "friendly" neigbors, naturally people from the West will have wonderin' thoughts why these is happening again after the Confrontation back in the 60s?

I hope our generations will be able to live by side with one another instead of always "playing with fire."

The world is big enough for all of us. Go find your own playground.***
SDass

Malaysia blames Discovery Channel in dance flap

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia sought Friday to allay anger in Indonesia over the use of a Balinese dance in a promotional spot for a TV documentary series on Malaysia, with officials laying the blame on cable network Discovery Channel.

The clip sparked outrage in Indonesia, with hundreds staging rallies and accusing Malaysia of stealing the "Pendet" dance from the Indonesian resort island of Bali, in the latest cultural dispute between the neighbors.

Cultural Minister Rais Yatim said the mistake was committed by Discovery Channel, which produced the 30-second clip to promote its series "Enigmatic Malaysia."

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said it regretted using the image of the Balinese dancer, which it said was sourced from an independent third party.

"The promotional clip has been removed from all feeds," it said in a statement, adding that it had no intention of causing any misunderstanding or distress.

Rais said the clip had nothing to do with any film producers in Malaysia and "there is no need to fight in public or be emotional."

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged Indonesians to end their protests and accept the apology by Discovery Channel.

The two countries share Islam as their main religion and have similar national languages, but have had a history of testy relations.

In late 2007, Indonesia threatened to sue Malaysia for using traditional Indonesian songs and dances in its national tourism campaign. The two countries established a high-level panel to resolve the dispute.

On Tuesday, about 30 Indonesians pelted the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta with rotten eggs and attempted to hoist an Indonesian flag at the gate to protest the video, The Star newspaper said. Hundreds of art students also staged theatrical protests on campuses nationwide, and rallies have been held in Bali.

Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said Friday he wrote a protest note last week to Malaysia saying it had violated a 2007 agreement to honor each other's cultural heritage.

Malaysia has "promised to reprimand the production house" which created the clip, he said.

Last updated September 4, 2009 3:58 a.m. PT


Another embarrassing moment for Malaysians is how I put it, I wonder who should shoulder the blame this time around for this great "blunder" if I may say it as such ?

Our Authorities say Discovery Channel is the "culprit."

Shouldn't they have somebody or some department officials monitoring this before they are shown to members of the public ?

Why is it, an important programme like that could go undetected , maybe someone is sleeping on the job ??

We will never know if they keep covering up for one another.

Comment made by: S Dass