Discovery: It's not Malaysia's fault

2009/09/12

KUALA LUMPUR: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has reiterated that Malaysia was not responsible for the promotional clip aired on its channel which showed the Balinese pendet dance.

Its general manager and senior vice-president (Southeast Asia) Kevin Dickie said neither the Malaysian Tourism Board nor any other government body in the country was involved in the video.

"We are deeply concerned by the latest developments in Jakarta and want to reiterate that the incorrect use of the clip was in no way a malicious attempt to undermine Indonesian culture.

"It was a human error by an independent producer that Discovery Networks takes responsibility for," he said in a statement yesterday.

The pendet segment was featured in a 30-second promotional piece produced by an independent producer to promote the "Enigmatic Malaysia" series produced by KRU Studios.

The series aimed to highlight Malaysia's rich cultural heritage but the dance was not featured in the series at all.

Dickie said as the issue of cultural heritage began to unfold some two weeks ago, the network had clarified the circumstances but the misunderstandings persisted.

This is despite the removal of the clip from the channel as soon as the problem was identified.

He hoped the situation would lead to a broader debate and understanding of the richness of both Malaysian and Indonesian cultures.

The network will also produce a 30-minute programme on the pendet dance which will be aired throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng said the network had apologised to Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen over the issue.

"I hope everyone will get a clear picture on this. The deputy prime minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) had also made a statement that the clip was not produced by the government."

Last week, Muhyiddin had said that Indonesia should accept the explanation by the network and hoped that it could put a stop to the issue.

The incorrect use of the clip had raised anger among Indonesians, with some labelling Malaysia a cultural thief and held demonstrations to vent their dissatisfaction.