Islamic Festival Promotes Malay Culture In Indonesia
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - A delegation from Brunei Darussalam joined delegates from other nations for a four-day Islamic Malay festival, which is currently being held at the town of Pangkal Pinang, Bangka-Belitung (Babel) province in Indonesia since Saturday.

Delegations from Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and Sri Lanka also witness the Islamic Malay Festival.

The festival was officiated by I Gede Ardhika, Indonesia Minister of Tourism and Culture.

The minister said the event was held to further unite and strengthen ties among the Malay people.

He added that the festival, organised by the local administration of Pangkal Pinang, could introduce and promote Malay culture among other countries.

Moreover, he said the event could bring positive economic development to the three-year old province.

"Through the festival, the province could introduce to other countries the potential of the province's rich natural resources and its tourist attractions and thus attract much-needed foreign investment," he said in a statement sent by a delegate representing Brunei Darussalam.

The opening ceremony was attended by the president of the Malay World Islamic World (DMDI), Datuk Seri Muhammad Ali bin Muhammad Rustam, who is the Chief Minister of Malacca state in Malaysia.

In his address, Datuk Ali said the Muslim Malay community should unify its vision and mission to preserve their own culture.

During this era of globalisation and trade liberalisation, he advised the Malay people to change their approach to life.

“Many Malays are satisfied with their government as civil servants. Such a pattern should be changed, so that the Malay people can also master technology and become entrepreneurs. We should not be left behind by Western nations," Datuk Ali added.

Also present at the DMDI festival that will last until December 17 were representatives from 20 Indonesian provinces, including West Sumatra, Riau, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, East Kalimantan and Jakarta.

The Bangka-Belitung Governor Hudarni Rani meanwhile said the presence of delegates from several countries were to witness directly the potentials of tourism in Bangka-Belitung.

“It can attract foreign visitors. Besides, we also hope investment will come from abroad," he said.

Despite heavy rain almost the whole day on Saturday, thousands of local people enthusiastically showed up to watch various Malay cultural attractions during the event.

The festival among other things featured the striking of 33 giant traditional drums or beduk accompanied by Malay zapin music. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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