South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru Encourages Artists, Cultural And Community To Preserve Malay Culture

South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru with Fir Azwar at the launch of the song and video clip Seguntang Ulu Melayu. (Photo: Yudi Abdullah/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru, encourages artists, cultural observers, and the general public to preserve Malay art, culture, and customs.

"Preserving Malay art, culture and customs can become a means of interaction, a habit, and a guide for community groups," said Herman Deru at the launch of the song and video clip of Bukit Seguntang Ulu Melayu by artist Fir Azwar at Taman Bukit Seguntang Palembang, Tuesday.

According to him, people in the province with 17 regencies and cities should not only know about traditional Malay clothes.

So far, people only understand their traditional clothes, but their behavior, manners, and morals do not reflect the typical Malay culture and customs.

“I am proud of the characteristics of Malay customs that are reflected in today's event. With the new song that was created by Fir Azwar, it can remind future generations about the Malay civilization in South Sumatra, especially Bukit Seguntang," he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 9.

Malay customs belonging to the people of South Sumatra should not be damaged by any custom that can make it disappear in their own land.

In order to keep Malay arts, culture and customs sustainable, artists and culturalists in South Sumatra are expected to continue to work and invite all parties to apply them in social life, said the Governor.

Meanwhile, artist Fir Azwar thanked Governor Herman Deru for supporting the launch of his latest work at Bukit Seguntang, Palembang.

The released song, entitled Seguntang Ulu Melayu, was sung by Rita Syakira, the second winner in the KDI era during the TPI television station era, and involved Hendri Lamiri, one of the four violinist figures in Indonesia.

The composer of the song is by Jemmy Delvian, while the accordion rhythm in the song Seguntang Ulu Melayu is filled by Buttong Olala who is involved in the Rongeng Melayu Group Taman Mini Indonesia Indah every day.

The song Seguntang Ulu Melayu tells that Palembang is the origin of the Malays of the Malay Nation in the archipelago.

He saw Palembang as the Malay ulu of the Malay Nation where the founder of Malacca was a Palembangnese, and Nila Utama who had the title Parameswara was a descendant of the kings of the Srivijaya Kingdom.

“Starting from this historical story, I created this song to provide education on the history and culture of Palembang as the origin of Malay civilization. In developing Malay culture, we should not lose to Riau, lose to Malaysia, while the Malay origin is in Palembang," said the artist who is also the principal of SMA Negeri 6 Palembang.