Original source: Tempo InteractiveThe idea to show the Pendet Dance on a Malaysian tourism ad apparently came from Discovery Channel Asia whose office located at Changi Business Park Vista, Changi, Singapore.
Problems regarding this dance were solved after a press conference held at the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (25/8).
The conference was attended by the Indonesian ambassador for Malaysia, Da'i Bachtiar; the President Director of Kru Studios Production, Norman Abdul Halim; a representative from the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Ministry, I Ketut Arianata; and representatives from the Malaysian information and culture ministry.
According to Widyarka Ryananta from the Indonesian Embassy, the Discovery Channel will submit an official letter to the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik.
Last Monday, Angie Santa Maria, said in an email that the half-minute Malaysian tourism ad entitled 'Enigmatic Malaysia' was not related to Malaysian government. “The ad was to attract viewers to watch a documentary film,” said Widyarka.
Angie also said that Discovery Channel will make an official apology statement to Jero Wacik.
Her email was addressed to Director General for Arts and Culture, Cecep Suparman.
What actually happened was that Kru Studios Production sold six documentary films to Discovery Channel to be shown in 23 countries.
The films were made to celebrate the Malaysian national day at end of this month. Two of them were entitled 'Keris the Myth and the Magic' and 'Batik'.
“The film mentioned that keris and batik originally came from Java, Indonesia. Malaysia did not claim them at all,” said Widyarka.
However, the Indonesian Embassy will still send a protest note to Malaysia. “It is our responsibility,” he said.
Malaysian tourism minister, Ng Yen Yen as well as the information and culture minister, Rais Yatim, have agreed to accept the protest note.
