I think this post is kinda late, should've done this earlier like long long time ago when i
experience so many new things here in UTM, here in Malaysia.
Indonesia is a rich country. Rich in their natural resources and culture *and cute girls ;)
Talking about Indonesian culture I lable it as internal diversity. With more than 17000 island,
33 provinces, inhabitant with around hundreds tribe with their own language, these create
distinct diversity among Indonesian itself. We are very proud of it !!
I am very proud of it!
In malaysia they have smaller population (around 10% of Indonesia). Malaysia also have several
ethnic, tribes and races. The different ratio total population and number of diversity in
Malaysia make each culture distinctive. This is the reason why malaysian tourism call it
"malaysia truly asia". In this country exist 3 main races which also main races in Asia continent. Malay, India and Chinese. These 3 races I called "external diversity".
People here, in Malaysia, live their own culture and tradition. Government embrace and give support on this issue, awesome. Though maybe the freedom given by government might cause several problems.
Back to topic, in sense of culture there are several new things i never experienced in Indonesia (although Indonesia also have these group of people, tribes or races). Deepavali or festival of light that celebrated by Hindu people or Mid Autumn festival which also known by Moon Cake festival which celebrated by chinese. Aside from that expatriate and foreign citizen or descendant of other foreign races such as japanese and protugese once in a while will organize some event related to celebrate or introduce their culture to other people. These events supported by ministry of tourism malaysia and also the embassy.
There are lot of event with culture as its basis in Malaysia and it really increase my exposure about other culture in this world. The number of foreign worker also increase the diversity of malaysian culture. KL as its central full of expatriate and foreign workers. I can hear some languages like spain, french, dutch, korea, somali, arab and may other languages.
In my opinion there are several factors caused this phenomena. Economy and political stability, government support, nationality mindset and english language usage among the citizen. Population ratio, job field and availability, relatively smaller country can also be consider as supportive factors.
Back in Indonesia, the factors i mentioned above is still a dream. Even to manage our own internal diversity is difficult. Centralize development, politics, policy and rules during Orde Baru, if i can say, tried to press the diversity and differences among Indonesian and create a one collective mindset of nationalism. The effect that i feel is obsessive fanaticism on national pride and degradation of local culture and diversity.
There are lot of languages and cultures or art that disappear because no one learn, no one use it any more. It is pitiful but most of the time truth is difficult to accept. It is not a sin to learn from Malaysia, where each states able to carry out their own identity, build and develop itself. Each states has its own holiday and celebration to carry the differences they have.
As an Indonesian, I hope in the future Indonesia will be able to embrace it diversity and stay strong as a nation. We might have different value, language, custom, belief, but we have one aim "a better Indonesia".
Till then, ciaosz !
