Thesun 2009-09-11 Page13 Culture Yours Mine Ours

theSun

| FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2009

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Culture: Yours, mine, ours?

Abiding Times by Tunku ‘Abidin Muhriz

THE aggression of the small but vocal group of anti-Malaysia protesters in Indonesia is intriguing. It was reported on Wednesday that some activists had blocked off a road in Jakarta with the objective of “sweeping” for Malaysians. You can find lashings of “crush Malaysia” material in the blogosphere and on Facebook, and a t-shirt with words to that effect accompanied by a picture of recommended weapons is so popular that it has sold out – at least on the online shops I visited. Claims over cultural material – tangible or otherwise – can be epic. You can get a heated argument started by simply mentioning the Elgin Marbles in front of a Briton and a Greek, and the influences of someone as poetic as Chopin can trigger debates between Poles and Frenchmen. Assertions of cultural superiority have caused wars and justified entire empires: the Victorians concocted an elaborate pyramid scheme in which White Anglo-Saxon Protestants reigned at the top, followed by other Christians, then other monotheists with pagans finally at the bottom, a tool which usefully conflated culture with ethnicity and thus legitimising some of the nastier aspects of colonialism. There is a litany of potential cultural flashpoints between Malaysia

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TELLING IT AS IT IS

and Indonesia, so it was inevitable that these would be exploited by nationalists to buttress the portfolio of existing, perhaps more substantial, issues between the two nations. Given the divergences in our modern – or perhaps more accurately, post-1824 – history, it’s perhaps not surprising. We obtained self-government in drastically different ways: Tunku Abdul Rahman always expressed pride in having achieved Merdeka through peaceful means (even though the communists took a different view), while Indonesian independence was gained after a bloody struggle. Also, we still take pride in being a member of the Commonwealth – we hosted the Games in 1998, remember – and we’ve retained so many of the institutions: the bicameral parliament, common law, the way we organise our military, and so on. Not because we are romantics for empire – but because these institutions, regardless of the deficiencies which we have latterly witnessed, still by and large work better than many of the alternatives. It’s the reason why Hongkong and Jamaica and India and Nigeria also keep them. Given this catalogue of institutional difference, I’d like to submit a small suggestion that might enable both sides to sidestep these heated repartees.

And that is for both Malaysia and Indonesia to disclaim ownership of pre-independence cultural artefacts. It’s not as drastic as it sounds. The Venerable Bede, Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare are primarily described as English, rather than British, authors. When one sees bagpipes and kilts one thinks specifically of the highlands of Scotland. Thus, there are clear distinctions between what constitutes uniquely English and Scottish culture as compared to contemporary British culture (which, no doubt, is influenced by the traditions of its constituent parts and migrant communities). Similarly, contemporary Malaysian and Indonesian culture is distinct from its pre-independence component parts. Yes, our arts continue to be influenced by our pasts – some might say it’s an amalgamation of them – but the constituent cultures, I posit, ought still to be treated as separate, lest we risk further muddling our cultural history and simultaneously suffocating our various adat. Perhaps in this regard, “Malaysia Truly Asia” serves as a more accurate slogan than “1Malaysia”: the first recognises that we’re host to

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various traditions, the latter might suggest that they have been superseded or smudged into one super-culture. In Negri Sembilan we have the cak lempong, while other states use the gamelan. We have upwardcurving roofs atop our houses, and we have many strange rituals that other states do not have. We know why, and we admit it: it’s no shame to us that Minangkabau culture originated in Sumatra; after all it predated both countries by six centuries. To me, it’s ludicrous to suggest that we’ve “stolen” what is “Indonesian” – besides, the migration then was voluntary – much as it continues to be today. And so, I hope that once our Minangkabau structure at the Shanghai World Expo gets filled with elements from our other component cultures, we won’t get activists trying to raze it, as happened to the original Istana Pagar Ruyong. Tunku ’Abidin Muhriz is Founder President of WauBebas.org: the Malaysia Think Tank. Comments: letters@ thesundaily.com.

Irregularities under probe WE refer to “Why bother with audit reports” (CitizenNades, Sept 9). We wish to reiterate that the matters on Pempena Sdn Bhd are still under investigation and several current and former employees of Pempena have been questioned and their statements taken. Therefore, we need to allow the due process of the investigations to be completed, which in turn would determine the appropriate course of action. We share your concerns and have taken a very serious view of the

irregularities that were highlighted in the audit report. Based on the findings and recommendations of the audit report, Pempena has lodged reports with the relevant authorities namely: » Commercial Crime Investigation Department; » Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission; and » Registrar of Companies. Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng Secretary-General Tourism Ministry

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A barrier to one Malaysia I REFER to media reports on the overwhelming support of the public towards the announcement that the cabinet may do away with the requirement to indicate one’s race in government official forms. Many opine that it will remove a barrier that inhibits us from achieving Bangsa Malaysia. The requirement is said to remind us of our individual race instead of being Malaysian. It is also seen as a positive effort in line with the 1Malaysia concept. However, I am intrigued as to why these like-minded Malaysians are silent when another initiative with similar objectives was put forward. I refer to the proposal to introduce the single education system as practised the world over. These children will grow up to be fine citizens with a sound understanding of the different races and the need to stay as one. On the contrary, a child who goes to a vernacular school will be deprived of this opportunity. Thus, I fail to understand why on one hand we object to practices that separate us as a people but at the same time we condone those having similar features. We should all ask the question whether we are being honest with ourselves? If we aspire to realise a Bangsa Malaysia and believe in 1Malaysia, we should support the introduction of the single school system and put serious efforts to make it a success. Zamri Mahmud Kuala Lumpur