The politics of heritage: Indonesia-Malaysia cultural contestations

Relations between Indonesia and Malaysia are generally characterised by diplomatic pleasantries, with reference often made to 'shared values', 'special relationship' and 'common cultural traditions', all of which are purportedly anchored by the same racial and ethnic 'stock' (serumpun). Malaysian politicians and media in particular often mention the familial bond between the two countries (persaudaraan), borne by a common language, culture and history. Yet, in a general sense, bilateral ties over the last decade have been marked by rivalry, acrimony and conflict. Key issues include Malaysia's cavalier treatment of Indonesian foreign workers and various border or territorial disputes. Underlying these tensions is a low-level dispute over shared Indo-Malay cultural heritage and art forms, which increasingly overshadows all other aspects of the bilateral relationship. This article examines two of the most prominent bilateral spats in terms of this ongoing politicisation of cultural heritage: (1) the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Jakarta and Palembang in 2011; and (2) UNESCO's awarding of batik as a distinctly Indonesian form of intangible cultural heritage.