Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Think cooperation and win-win

Monday, September 21, 2009

Think cooperation and win-win

There is a dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia about the origin of the Pendek dance and batik cloth. Indonesians write to their newspapers to complain about the use of the dance and batik in the Malaysian tourism advertisement. Some Indonesians even search for Malaysians on the roads in Jakarta to abuse them.

This matter has now been taken at top levels of the two governments, in an attempt to solve the dispute over the claim of "ownership".

Malaysia now claim that the laksa, Hainanese chicken rice and chili crab is "owned" by them. This has implication on Singapore, as they are promoted as the cuisine of Singapore.

These disputes are a sign of the times and the weakening of the moral fibre of our society. People have become too selfish and think only of their own interest, and not the welfare of others.

There is no need for neighboring countries to compete for tourists. We can work together to promote several countries at the same time. Tourists going to one country is likely to stay a day or two in a neighboring country. We need to think of "win-win", "cooperation" instead of "competition".

We need a better way to handle disputes, rather than to have the negative aspects broadcast in the media or on the streets.

Tan Kin Lian

17 comments:

Shang Lee said...: Yes. We are getting more intense in claiming ownership, and yet forgetting that it's the food (or dance) we enjoy, rather than the ownership itself. I do hope we look for beauty at the simpler things, and stop these childish disputes. If history is really the intent, research it, for the knowledge of it, not for the ownership of it. You don't claim history either.; September 21, 2009 8:29 AM
hongjun said...: The problem is that once cooperation usually comes with competition and that's the reason why we have this term called “coopetition”.

The move by the Malaysians simply tell the world how petty they can get.; September 21, 2009 8:31 AM
Sobri said...: While the Pendet dance is definitely from Indonesia's Bali tradition, claims on food and even batik are frivolous. There is even Sri Lankan batik. Indonesian, Malaysian and Sri Lankan batiks have different motives and style. There is the Malay martial art, Silat which is now practised not just in the Malay Archipelago but also in Holland, and other parts of the world.

But........one thing is for sure. The Malaysian National Anthem, Negaraku.......has similar tune with an old Indonesian song `Terang Bulan' ( Moonlight ). I still wonder why Malaysia ( Singapore was part of it too then ) would choose that, especially during the time of Konfrantasi, and Ganyang Malaysia ( Confraontation & Crush Malaysia ).; September 21, 2009 9:56 AM
Everlearning said...: Recently, there were court cases on logos dispute between organisations as well as food sellers.

Where is the tolerance or accommodation over such minute matter shown among fellowmen?; September 21, 2009 11:02 AM
Anonymous said...: At regional level, it is not a big issue under ASEAN spirit.

At main street, it is an issue.

Source of the problem:
- politician
- media
- unemployment; September 21, 2009 11:04 AM
Anonymous said...: Chiang Mai Batik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfF5VoATjwQ&NR=1; September 21, 2009 11:48 AM
Anonymous said...: TKL: "Where is the tolerance or accommodation over such minute matter shown among fellowmen"

You have created "RED'. Congratulation !
If name it "McRED", what may happen?

All the best to your new venture.; September 21, 2009 11:54 AM
Anonymous said...: McCurry vs McDonald

What was the outcome in Malaysia?

Why don't better spent the legal cost for better use?; September 21, 2009 11:58 AM
Anonymous said...: There are no real news to report. Global economy is improving. The man on the street in Asia is perfectly fine. He may not have a job, but life is still wonderful. There is food and shelter.

So the media needs to hunt, create or provoke ideas that stirr the emotion.They love to report drama. It sells.; September 21, 2009 12:04 PM
Anonymous said...: McCurry won the lawsuit. The argument is that "Mc" means Malaysian Chicken.; September 21, 2009 1:34 PM
Vincent Sear said...: The recent Malaysian claims of food origins is not aimed at or against international cooperation or dispute, but it's a domestic political agenda. In their last GE, of Chinese components of UMNO, Gerakan was practically wiped out by DAP and MCA was roundly thrashed.

Notice that the claims are coming from an MCA Minister aimed at the Chinese voters. The dishes highlighted are all Chinese dishes, including Hainanese chicken rice and even bakkutteh. No Malay dish is mentioned. There's no serious intention in international contention for these food title rights, just a political show that MCA is doing something and working for Malaysian Chinese. They run out ideas and have nothing better to do.; September 21, 2009 3:50 PM
Vincent Sear said...: Correction:

Gerakan and MCA are Chinese component parties of BN, not UMNO. UMNO is the Malay component and leading party of BN.; September 21, 2009 4:33 PM
Sobri said...: Vincent........

She also mentioned Nasi lemak. That is a Malay dish.; September 22, 2009 10:05 AM
Anonymous said...: Can S'pore claim that Johor is part of S'pore? No, right?

So what M'sian Tourism Minister claim now is totally baseless, only pleasing to her lost voters but piss off tourists from S'pore and Indonesia.

With this kind of penny wise and pound foolish minister, no wonder MCA lost a big deal in its last GE 2008.; September 22, 2009 3:06 PM
Vincent Sear said...: Sobri:

Yes, you're right, but nasi lemak is not exclusively Malay, like say bakkutteh is exclusively Chinese. Both Malay and Chinese (especially peranakan Chinese) have their own nasi lemak versions.; September 22, 2009 4:27 PM
Vincent Sear said...: Back to the topic of cooperation, particularly international cooperation. I think that is not well advised in her deliberation. If she emphasized on the likes of Penang laksa, Pasang bakkutteh, Muar otak etc. she could have come across as more sincere about promoting local food without offending Singaporeans and Indonesians. However, I guess that it's part of Malaysian political culture taking occasional but calculated jibes at their neighbours to score domestic points and distract attention from domestic failings.; September 22, 2009 4:38 PM
Solomon said...: It is very difficult to draw a line on cultural heritage. For exmaple, in Malaysia and Singapore, the culture derives from Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Persian, European and eastern european (:o) etc.

In Bali, for casual visiotrs, you might think that Balinese are decendants of Indian because of the dances and costume they wear. Indonesian culture were influenced by India through Indian merchant and follow by Middle East and then by European and Chinese.

So, there is no way you can claim ownership for a particular dish or dance if they have been around for hundreds of years.; September 28, 2009 1:05 PM