Saturday, October 6, 2007

The "Rasa Sayang" dispute

In a little known dispute in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are arguing over who has ownership over the Malay folk song "Rasa Sayang".

The folk song was used in Malaysia's tourism campaign and the Indonesians have accused Malaysia of stealing the song from them as it is an Indonesian folk song. They are considering suing Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia naturally say that the allegations are madness. This little small dispute could spark a diplomatic row between the two neighbors.

This is just surreal to me. How can Jakarta even think of suing for copyright when no one even know who wrote the song in the first place? Does it make sense to anyone? It's like when Americans copyrighted yoga; total nonsense!

Hell the song is sung by people from southern Thailand to people in Sri Lanka. Next thing we know Indonesia will accused Malaysia and Singapore of stealing batik and the Malay language. Stupid!

3 comments:

Hachiko Monogatari said...

Haha. I find it rather amusing. Perhaps if one day Singapore or Malaysia suffered earthquake damages, they should consider suing Indonesia for overspilling its calamities to its neighbours.

You need to use Indon logic to make them see the point, you know. Chuckle, chuckle.

Ghost said...

I know. I got a chuckle when I read it as well. You, me and the rest of the world!

Anonymous said...

i'm Indonesian. and i don't really agree with you. so may i ask you a question : "have you ever lost something that you feel your birth right to claim it ?"

we're came from a nation that been colonized for hundred of years. For use, it's matter. it's about identity. maybe you don't have this kind of problem. but for us, it's somehow sacred. just like polish and all post-soviet nation struggle against Russia. cultural identity's matter.