FIRST it was the pendet folk dance, Rasa Sayang rendition and now gamelan is fast becoming another item on a long list of disputes between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Gamelan is a traditional musical ensemble featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings.

A GROUP of Indonesians armed with samurai swords and black magic plan to “invade and wage war” against Malaysia, which it accuses of claiming Indonesian cultural heritage, according to an Indonesian news report.

The Jakarta Globe on Sept 25 reported that Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) had announced Oct 8 as the day when it will “avenge all the wrongs committed against Indonesia by its neighbour (Malaysia).”

THE Facebook social networking website seems to be the chosen platform for disgruntled Indonesians. The fallout from the “stolen” Balinese pendet dance controversy had led to the “We hate Malaysia” site.

Now, another hate site targeting Malaysian actor Ashraf Sinclair, who now lives in Indonesia, is also on Facebook.

“DON’T share authentic Indonesian recipes with Malaysians.”

This is but just one of the few inane principles endorsed by a group of Indonesians on Facebook titled “We Hate Malaysia”.

The group also calls for Indonesians working in Malaysia to not share Indonesian dances or any of its culture
with Malaysians, following the controversy surrounding Indonesia’s accusation that we had “stolen” its Balinese pendet dance.