Don't Worry About Spread Of Indonesian Cultures Overseas - Speaker

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya JAKARTA, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The spread of Indonesian cultures overseas, including in Malaysia, is normal and usually due to the migration of the people to other countries, according to Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Marzuki Alie. Hence, he said the Indonesian people should not turn the matter into a controversial issue. Marzuki said certain Indonesian cultures which were could still be found in Malaysia today were probably the legacy of their ancestors who originated from Indonesia. "Cultural exchange is normal across the world, we can also found Western cultures in Indonesia. There are many Indonesians in Malaysia, when the people migrated, so will the cultures," he said during a meeting with members of Malaysia's Barisan Nasional (National Front) Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) at his office here Friday. BNBBC was led by its deputy chairman Bung Moktar Radin. Present was Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin Syed Hassan. Marzuki said what was more worrying was the spread of foreign or Western cultures which were not suitable for Muslims and contravened the Eastern cultures. Meanwhile, Bung Moktar said he was happy with the meeting and hoped that more programmes involving members of Parliament in both countries would be held to strengthen the existing ties and understanding. He said Marzuki had also explained to them about Indonesia's policy and principles in certain issues which had affected the ties between the two countries. -- BERNAMA