June 22, 2012
Indonesia-Malaysia Relations: One Kin, Two Nations*
by Farish M. Noor@www.nst.com.my
MANY SIMILARITIES: The peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia should celebrate their inter-connected past.
SCHOLARS who follow the long and complicated historical relations between Malaysia and Indonesia are sometimes baffled by how and why certain parties in both countries tend to view each other with incredulity and a lack of comprehension.
For many years now, some quarters in Indonesia have raised the question of
why Malaysia has “claimed” some of Indonesia’s symbols, artistic products and cultural practices as theirs, and this has been accompanied by demonstrations of anger and frustration.
Before going any further, allow me to reiterate for the umpteenth time that as a scholar who works and teaches in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, I see nothing but similarities between all three countries; and that these similarities can be traced back to a common history that they all share — even if some quarters do not wish to admit it.
The recent spat erupted as a result of Malaysia stating that two dance forms are part of Malaysian culture as well, although they originated from Sumatra that neighbours the Peninsular Malaysia.
On the Indonesian side some groups are claiming that these dances are Sumatran in origin and that they are, therefore, Indonesian in character. But scholars need to be wary of the tendency to backdate historical claims too far, and we should remember that these dance forms presumably existed long before both Malaysia and Indonesia came into being in the form of the modern nation-states they now assume.
Southeast Asians need to remember that our culture, belief systems, cosmologies and languages came into being long before the era of modern nation-states, and long before the advent of colonial rule that divided the region into neatly compartmentalised blocks. Have we forgotten that for more than a millennium, millions of people traveled regularly between the coastal port cities of Sumatra and the Malay peninsula?
And have we forgotten that millions of those who are regarded as “Malay” in Malaysia are themselves descendants of Minangs, Bugis, Javanese, Madurese, Acehnese, who hailed from what is now Indonesia? Until today my Indonesian students are startled when I tell them that there are plenty of Malaysians who speak Javanese, Minang, Bugis or other languages apart from Bahasa Malaysia, for the simple reason that their families (like mine) came from what is today modern Indonesia.
The reason for this confusion is simple enough to see. On both sides of the
frontier, Malaysian and Indonesian history has been written by post-colonial historians who write for their respective national audiences.
In my reading of Indonesian history books, I am pleasantly surprised by the huge emphasis given to the rich cultural diversity of Indonesia, and the constant reminder that Indonesia is a complex nation with many nations-among-nations in it.
It is a pity that this celebration of diversity does not extend to the recognition of the many diasporas that have also settled in other parts of the archipelago such as Malaysia and Singapore — where there are also thousands of Javanese, Minangs, Bugis, etc, who have become Malaysian and Singaporean citizens by now.
To return to the current huff over the Sumatran dances that are seen as part of Malaysia’s cultural heritage as well: this was not an instance of Malaysia “stealing” an Indonesian dance but rather the recognition that so much of what constitutes Malaysian identity has been the contribution of our kith and kin from Sumatra as well. The same applies to the contribution from Java, Madura, Sulawesi, and further afield like India, China and the Arab lands.
If I, as a Malaysian of Javanese descent, chose to wear the blankon and sarong, am I “stealing” Javanese culture, or am I celebrating my own diverse origins and roots?
As ASEAN inches closer to the ASEAN Charter in 2015, I hope that the peoples and governments of the region would choose to reconnect with our inter-connected past instead of emphasising our differences all the time.
Indonesia on the other hand should see this as testimony to its long and deep cultural outreach across the archipelago, and something it can be justifiably proud of. Nationalism does not have to be of the exclusive, bellicose variety: Sometimes accepting that others appreciate you can also pay dividends.
Malaysia and Indonesia are like “gigi dan lidah”. We in Malaysia have not followed the path of deference to Indonesia. Why should we? After all, we are an independent and sovereign country. True, there is a sense of kinship on both sides. That should be a positive factor. But our relationship with Indonesia should be based on a partnership of equals that is founded on mutual respect, understanding and goodwill between two peoples. So, the cultural rivalry that now exists between our nations is totally unhelpful in fostering better relations.–Din Merican
Bahasa Indonesia is Bahasa Melayu, the bahasa of the minority. In Malaysia we change Bahasa Melayu to Bahasa Malaysia. So what is the difference between Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Malaysia? The spelling that makes me more confused. Try explaining Cina to China and the difference between Coli, Coca and Cola and the Combi van and Combi anak Mami for a start.
Malaysia should have just credited the dances to the Sumatrans or Minangs and which the Melayus in Malaysia have inherited from their forefathers.
The Indonesians are generally the more talented people, their spoken language are rythemic and sounds pleasant to the ears, beautifull intonation and flowing most of the time they speak….ideas seem to be in ‘ continuity’, it convinces people b’coz of coherence….
Indonesians have a more outward looking attitude whereas Malays under BN are inward looking and fear the unknown for no reason.
I spend a lot of time working with Indonesians in Southern Sumatra, in Jakarta, In Kalimantan and also in Sulawesi. One thing I notice is that the people, no doubt they are spread over 6 hours of flight time on a B737-900ER from one end to the other, they are very friendly and actually they treat Malaysia as one of their “provinsi” but we behave too cocky to them always insisting superiority in everything we do. The truth is Indonesia is fast catching up on us and they will pass us soon economically and even in terms of cultural and social developments.
No Noor, it is one one kin one nation. The floodgates have been open for the gradual assimilation of the weak by the strong. Who is weak and who is stong only time will tell. And lioke all things run by governments the decisions that we make today will only show results 10 years down the road.We like France had our chances to move into the semi-finals of EURO 2012 but did not take when we could have taken it just like Singapore did. Today Singapore attracts the top 1% of the Indonesian population to spend money in its luxury hospitals and to openly hold banking accounts in Singapore while we attract the Non Javanese Maids who earn billions here and send it back to Indonesia. Singapore is no longer dependent on us even for they water supply. In some of these Luxury Hospitals they have even a Nasi Padang Food Outlet to cater for the Indonesian. Does that ring a bell? Perhaps and may be.
The bigger issue for Indonesians is the perceived attempt to blur the line between the two countries cultures, which ironically Malaysians seem to have no problem with. Indonesian is a proud nation and especially proud of its diversity and cultural heritage. For instance, most Indonesian will never admit that Bahasa Indonesia is Bahasa Melayu. For us, it is distinctly different. Not that we think it’s superior or anything. But to us Bahasa Indonesia is ours, we use more flowery poetic words (at least to our ears) derived from many different origins other than Malay which in a sense is distinctly us. We expect the same from Malaysians. To be proud of your own culture. Be offended when they said that Bahasa Melayu is the same as Bahasa Indonesia. Now Bahasa Melayu has become more and more like Bahasa Indonesia, much more so than say 20 years ago. Back in the 90s I have a bunch of Malaysian friends, and their Bahasa Melayu is much different from the one we have right now. I remembered my friend in Singapore was even punished for using Indonesian language during a Malay class.
The argument, that a lot of people coming from Java or Sumatra or other part of Indonesia to Malaysia bringing their culture thus justify them to make it their heritage line, doesn’t carry much weight. As I pointed out Indonesia is proud of its diversity. Javanese doesn’t claim Sumatran culture just because a lot of Sumatrans live in Java and vice versa. I saw some people argued that Bali has Barong dance which derived from India, but it is still a Bali original, no where else can you see something like that – not even in India. Balinese didn’t copy it, they made their own. Just as Italian pasta is derived from Chinese noodle (from Marco Polo expedition), but it becomes distinctly theirs. We have no problem with Malaysian coming up with an original dance/art derived from our dance/art, but it should be distinctly different and especially do not share the same name.
So the last point is that please do not blur the line between the two countries. As proud we are of our country, so should you be. We can both be proud of the shared heritage both countries have, but also celebrate the differences and diversities that both countries can offer. This is not a political issue as some has suggested, nor it is an envy thing, it’s a matter of doing the right thing.
Indonesia is undoubtedly a proud nation, we proud with our colours from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Papua, we proud with our pluralism and we give the best attribute for our diversity. The funny thing is Malaysia always aiming to make simple explanation by saying we’re serumpun to ease the spat, and unfortunately it doesn’t help at all. Today, most of Indonesians don’t feel that Indonesia and Malaysia are serumpun, if a Malaysian talks to someone from Riau maybe he gonna be buying it, but not for a Javanese or a Timorese or a Papuan, we simply saying “no, we’re not but nice try anyway” .
Most of Indonesians live in nationalistic setting especially today’s young generations. Indonesian young generations perceiving Malaysia as stubborn small neighbour and this is dangerous for two countries in the future, the reason is pretty simple, we sick about cultural brouhaha between two countries, and this is almost happen like every year, and for us we most certainly like to say “please make your own culture, it’s easy, since every country in the world makes their own cultures, so what’s stopping you?”
Today Indonesian young generations are so aware with political dynamic including international affairs and they are vocal audience. The most interesting thing for me is Singapore doesn’t need to spell friendly message “we are serumpun” and saying we come from the same root to make solid and strong relation with Indonesia, Indonesians never flipping out patriotism melody in front of Singaporean Embassy in Jakarta, ironically we have to do this to our serumpun brother across the strait not only once or twice and that is sad.
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