JAKARTA – Mutual claims between Indonesia and Malaysia are still common. Finally, there was an intention from the neighboring country to register Reog Ponorogo as its culture to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Responding to Malaysia's stance, the chairman of the DPD RI, AA LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti, immediately emphasized that Reog Ponorogo is a typical Indonesian art.
LaNyalla also stated that this was not the first time Malaysia had made such a claim. However, they have claimed several Indonesian cultures, including Batik, Wayang, Balinese Dance. Even the very distinctive reog only owned by Ponorogo in East Java, will also be claimed.
"I emphasize that Reog Ponorogo is an original Indonesian art. I ask that this be maintained so that no other party makes a claim against it," said LaNyalla, Saturday, April 9.
The senator from East Java supports the East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa's quick action with the Ponorogo Regent to defend the original Reog Ponorogo art from East Java, Indonesia. LaNyalla also emphasized that this art really belongs to Indonesia, so that no country or any party has the right to claim it.
"We must really protect the cultural treasures that we have which are equipped with various strong supporting documents, so that there will be no more theft of cultural arts by other countries," said LaNyalla.
LaNyalla also asked the government to reclaim various arts that have been claimed by other parties. "If they claim, then we have to fight, the truth can be blamed, but the truth cannot be defeated," said LaNyalla.
LaNyalla believes that the Regent of Ponorogo can find documents that scientifically can convince UNESCO that Reog is the original product of Ponorogo artists and culturalists.
LaNyalla emphasized that there must be an emphasis on the Malaysian government not to claim other people's culture. "Moreover, Reog clearly shows that he represents Javanese culture, not Malay culture," said LaNyalla.
Support also flows from various elements for this matter. This support is represented in the form of dozens of Barongan Reog attractions. This is done as proof that Reog is the original Ponorogo ancestral heritage.
"It should be considered by UNESCO because the mastery of the soul of an art shows the ownership inherent in the soul of the dancer and the Javanese character," said LaNyalla.
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