ID :
80531
Fri, 09/18/2009 - 12:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/80531
The shortlink copeid
MEDIA SHOULD NOT INFLAME PEOPLE'S ANGER, SAYS M'SIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
JAKARTA, Sept 18 (Bernama) – As the ties between Malaysia and Indonesia can
at times be delicate, the media should not inflame people's anger which could
pit the peoples of the two countries against each other, said Foreign Minister
Anifah Aman.
While appreciating the freedom of the media, he urged them to be accurate in
their reports and not to incite polemics which could sour relations between the
two countries.
He cited a misunderstanding over a botched Singapore Discovery Channel
advertisement clip depicting the Pendet dance of Bali for which Malaysia was
accused of stealing an Indonesian cultural product as a case in point.
Anifah was speaking at a joint news conference with his Indonesian
counterpart, Hassan Wirajuda after a 90-minute discussion here Thursday.
"Malaysia had never laid claim to the Pendet dance and Discovery Channel had
clarified on the mistake. So, I believe the issue should not be raised again,"
said Anifah.
He said the inaccurate reports in the Indonesian media over the issue had
definitely made Malaysians in the republic and Indonesians in Malaysia to become
worry.
Anifah said both countries would continue to communicate on various issues
and enhance relations through sports among officials and the exchange of
cultural programmes among media practitioners.
Meanwhile, Hassan said he believed the majority of Indonesians were rational
and would not be misled by attempts to create animosity between the peoples of
both countries.
"This is a complicated problem involving the vast media freedom in
Indonesia. Generally, in reality efforts to exploit the problem negatively and
inaccurately is bound to fail," he said.
Citing another allegation that Malaysia had laid claim to Pulau Jemur in its
tourism campaign, he said it was found to be baseless as there were three
islands sharing the same name including one in Selangor.
"Sometimes we jump on our feet over something that is not very clear...
Pulau Jemor belongs to Malaysia and ours, Pulau Jemur, is in Bengkalis. It
happened before over Pulau Berhala... actually there are six islands sharing the
name, three in Indonesia and three in Malaysia.
"So the media should not get heated up over something that is not very
clear. Get your facts right," he said, adding that the Indonesian government
could not clamp down on the media and it was their responsibility to publish
accurate information.
"We (Hassan and Anifah) resolve to reduce sensitive issues between the
peoples of the two countries over misunderstanding on claims of cultural
products and bilateral ties," he added.
On his meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential
Palace, Anifah said Susilo looked forward towards collaboration in the palm oil
industry in an effort to produce new sources of energy.
-- BERNAMA
JAKARTA, Sept 18 (Bernama) – As the ties between Malaysia and Indonesia can
at times be delicate, the media should not inflame people's anger which could
pit the peoples of the two countries against each other, said Foreign Minister
Anifah Aman.
While appreciating the freedom of the media, he urged them to be accurate in
their reports and not to incite polemics which could sour relations between the
two countries.
He cited a misunderstanding over a botched Singapore Discovery Channel
advertisement clip depicting the Pendet dance of Bali for which Malaysia was
accused of stealing an Indonesian cultural product as a case in point.
Anifah was speaking at a joint news conference with his Indonesian
counterpart, Hassan Wirajuda after a 90-minute discussion here Thursday.
"Malaysia had never laid claim to the Pendet dance and Discovery Channel had
clarified on the mistake. So, I believe the issue should not be raised again,"
said Anifah.
He said the inaccurate reports in the Indonesian media over the issue had
definitely made Malaysians in the republic and Indonesians in Malaysia to become
worry.
Anifah said both countries would continue to communicate on various issues
and enhance relations through sports among officials and the exchange of
cultural programmes among media practitioners.
Meanwhile, Hassan said he believed the majority of Indonesians were rational
and would not be misled by attempts to create animosity between the peoples of
both countries.
"This is a complicated problem involving the vast media freedom in
Indonesia. Generally, in reality efforts to exploit the problem negatively and
inaccurately is bound to fail," he said.
Citing another allegation that Malaysia had laid claim to Pulau Jemur in its
tourism campaign, he said it was found to be baseless as there were three
islands sharing the same name including one in Selangor.
"Sometimes we jump on our feet over something that is not very clear...
Pulau Jemor belongs to Malaysia and ours, Pulau Jemur, is in Bengkalis. It
happened before over Pulau Berhala... actually there are six islands sharing the
name, three in Indonesia and three in Malaysia.
"So the media should not get heated up over something that is not very
clear. Get your facts right," he said, adding that the Indonesian government
could not clamp down on the media and it was their responsibility to publish
accurate information.
"We (Hassan and Anifah) resolve to reduce sensitive issues between the
peoples of the two countries over misunderstanding on claims of cultural
products and bilateral ties," he added.
On his meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential
Palace, Anifah said Susilo looked forward towards collaboration in the palm oil
industry in an effort to produce new sources of energy.
-- BERNAMA
