Yudhoyono Responds over Malaysia's Claim

VIVAnews - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) expects Malaysia to maintain a good relationship with Indonesia and not setting out any provoking actions following Malaysia’s claim on Pendet dance which was featured on the country’s tourism ad.

“We have to avoid such problem because it has happened a few times before. But, we also have to maintain a good relation,” the President said at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 25.

Malaysia’s claim was not only aimed at the Pendet dance. Earlier, the neighboring country also claimed angklung, reog Ponorogo, batik, Hombo Batu and Folaya dances as their products.

Thus, President SBY asked the Justice and Human Rights Department to immediately do an inventory on every Indonesia’s cultural work.

The President also said despite the frequent dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, he expected the two countries to keep their relations away from disruptions. “Cooperation in other sectors should not be ruined,” he said.

SBY acknowledged that some of Indonesian cultural works like wayang and keris have been patented in international world. As for batik and traditional dances, the government is undergoing the process to carry out the same action