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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman will meet his Indonesian counterpart on Thursday in a bid to cool tensions triggered by accusations of cultural theft, a report said.
Anifah, who is scheduled to leave for Jakarta on Wednesday, told state media that, as well as his talks with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, he also hoped to call on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
"I think it is only proper that we meet and discuss and see how to ease the tension and possibly find out what transpired in Indonesia," he said according to Malaysia's state news agency Bernama.
The dispute erupted in Indonesia in August after erroneous reports emerged that Malaysia had screened tourism advertisements featuring the traditional "pendet" dance of Indonesia's Hindu-majority Bali island. That sparked claims Malaysia had stolen a piece of its neighbour's cultural heritage.
The ad was actually a promotion for a Discovery Channel programme, but despite an apology from the network, protesters vowing to "crush Malaysia" burned national flags and threw rotten eggs at the embassy in Jakarta.
"The relevant (Indonesian) authorities had accepted (the explanation)...
but this small group refused to accept. They are blinded by whatever motive, so this is something we have to talk about," Anifah said.
Last Wednesday, Malaysia summoned Indonesia's ambassador Dai Bachtiar to express "grave concern" over the angry protests and deteriorating bilateral relations.
The government has also urged Indonesia to take steps to ensure the safety of Malaysians there and to "ensure that such aggressive actions of certain extremists in Indonesia are curtailed immediately."
Ties between the two countries are regularly punctuated by rows over cultural issues as well as the welfare of Indonesian labourers and maids working in Malaysia.
- AFP/ir
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