The current diplomatic issues surrounding the allege claim of Malaysia and Indonesia as to whom owns the pendet dance, food, batik and others is really a vital diplomatic issue that must be nip at its bud.
First and foremost, a historical lesson must be put into motion. Malays from Malaysia are mostly from Indonesia to start with. Back in the history we have learnt that the Palembang, Indonesia Prince, Parameswara started the Melaka Kingdom. And the subsequent history of Bugis people from Sulawesi, Indonesia rule over Johor and Selangor. So currently the Malays in Malaysia has certain lineage of extended families that lives in Indonesia.
As we all know that, we can migrate to another country, but true to our heart and core self values and definitely culture and heritage, people do not change much. As such, the Malays in Malaysia still continue their practices that have similar pattern with those in Indonesia. A good example is Bahasa Melayu, where there is a slight difference between Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia. But both are still Malay languages.
As such its like twin brothers or sisters that may share the same genetics and physical features but both still differs in attitude and bahaviours. Thus, lead a different way of live and have a different carreer. Malaysia and Indonesia is a good example of this differences. The split in attitude and behaviours was because of their difference in their environment. Malaysia was conquered by Britain while Indonesia by the Dutch. So its like a twin that live with different families, but both still have the same genetics and may like the same things. In this case the food, culture and heritage.
In order to solve this issue, I would suggest that Malaysia and Indonesia to collaborate in terms of marketing its tourism package. Both countries can produce advertisements that shows the best of both countries. Since there is similarities in both countries' culture, the best way is to produce a caption that states Malaysia and Indonesia culture and art. When there is difference, state is according to the country but when similarities occur state both. In this case, Malaysia should be paying 70% of the cost while Indonesia pay 30%. This will be a win win situation. As Malaysia will be paying more, the name of Malaysia will always be stated first.
The benefits of doing so for Malaysia is, we can solve the diplomatic issue of whom owns the culture and herritage instead market is as both. This will avoid a war with Indonesia. Plus, Malaysian Economy will be more dependent on Indonesian market in 20 years time since their population is approximately 10 times Malaysian population. Besides the brand name of Indonesia is more well known to foreigners than Malaysia. However, by associating ourselves with Indonesia, it will also help to promote Malaysia to the world faster. Its like Proton associate it selves with Toyota. I'm pretty sure many people knows Toyota but not Proton. However, by associating Proton with Toyota, everyone in the world will show a keen interest in Proton soon since it is associated with Toyota. So its a symbiosis relationship where both can gain. And of course, there should be more International Direct flights from the world to Kuala Lumpur for easier access.
For Indonesia, its a good collaboration since they still get to market their country's culture and art at a cheaper cost and still attract tourist. With Malaysian expertise to tap on marketing, it will help Indonesia to better promote its tourism package with Malaysia. From my observation from my latest trip to Indonesia, its seems like the winning tourism place in Indonesia is Bali only. The other cities like Yogyakarta, Bandung, Jakarta do not attract many tourist. This is because of its promotional issues and there is less Internationalisation of Indonesia like its langauage barriers. All the road sign is in Indonesian language and people do not speak English at all. So tourist will generally avoid such places. But in Bali, most locals speak better English, since its a tourism site. The best way to benefit for Indonesia is to offer a two country package for tourist. Since Indonesian Airlines are barred from most International cities, it is beneficial to get tourist to fly into Kuala Lumpur and tour Malaysia first then get a conecting flight into Indonesia cities like Bandung, Jakarta, Jogyakarta, Medan, Surabaya and others to visit Indonesia. It will create more jobs for the locals and will eleviate the standard of living of locals.
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