Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Malaysian Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said his country would not hamper the flow of Indonesian music and flims into Malaysia despite protests from Malaysian musicians and entertainment industry.
‘Malaysia has always been open to the music and films from other countries, and its doors remain open despite the complaints from local music and film producers about the influx of Indonesian films and musical groups,‘ Minister Zainuddin told the press here on Thursday.
Malaysian musicians such as Amy Search and Hattan have asked the Malaysian government to curb the influx into Malaysia of Indonesian music and films, saying that it would kill the Malaysian musical and film industries.
Both asked Malaysian radio and television stations not to promote too many Indonesian music and films.
They likened the promotion of Indonesian music and films by Malaysian radio and television stations as ‘breastfeeding monkey babies in the forests, but ignoring their own babies.‘
They said that Indonesian musical groups and films were flooding Malaysia. The Peterpan musical group of Indonesia has launched its third album in Kuala Lumpur recently, followed by noted singers Rossa, Agnes Monica and Letto musical group. This month, Ungu and Samson musical groups as well as singer Marcell will also stage a concert in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Information Minister Mohammad Nuh and his Malaysian counterpart Zainuddin Maidin signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in information, including music and films and exchange of journalists and news items.
‘We are inspired to establish this cooperation in connection with the 30th Malaysian Independence Day anniversary on August 31, 2007, and Indonesia‘s 100 years of national awakening on October 28, 2008,‘ the minister said.
The cooperation covers broadcasting, tourism promotion, reforms, entertainment, tourist travel and orchestra performance.
‘A joint concert by Malaysian and Indonesian orchestras will be held during the visit to Malaysia of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in November this year,‘ the Indonesian minister said.
Source: www.antara.co.id (6 AGustus 2007)
