MALAYSIAN MINISTER PUZZLED OVER INDONESIAN MEDIA'S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT EXPLANATION

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Anifah Aman is
puzzled over the Indonesian media's refusal to accept explanation over the
pendet dance issue which triggered anti-Malaysia sentiment in the republic.

The media had instead kept on harping on the issue, he told reporters after
attending the open house hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and
cabinet ministers at Sri Perdana, here Sunday.

He said that Malaysia had received the clarification from the Discovery
Channel and had also conveyed the matter to the Indonesian government, which
accepted the explanation.

Anifah said Malaysia had never laid claims on the pendet dance and that the
Discovery Channel had clarified on the mistake.

He said he had also explained the matter during a meeting with his
Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirajuda, on Thursday.


He hoped that after the meeting, problems affecting the relations of both
countries could be resolved amicably.

"I've explained during a news conference (in Indonesia) that Malaysia has no
problems with Indonesia," he said.

The meeting was held following mounting anti-Malaysian sentiment after the
Indonesian media accused Malaysia of stealing the Balinese dance.

Pendet was featured briefly in a video clip promoting Malaysian tourism
which was aired on Discovery Channel.

Malaysia has clarified that it has nothing to do with the production of the
video.

-- BERNAMA