We’re all familiar with the sometimes intense rivalry between Indonesia and Malaysia—just bring up where rendang or batik comes from and you’ll find some polarizing opinions.
The latest cultural feud between the two nations has taken things to a comical level—literally.
A Malaysian animated TV series that allegedly adapts the Balinese literary work “The Heron” without the proper rights and permissions has some Balinese up in arms.
“The Heron” apparently came from an artist originally from Jembrana, Bali, the late Gusti Putu Windya in 1970. His surviving family members are now rallying the government to demand his works be protected, according to Merdeka.
It’s the Malaysian cartoon “Pada Zaman Dahulu” (In Ancient Times), about a stork and a crab that is accused of ripping off the exact story line of “The Heron.”
The Malaysian cartoon maker never requested permission to run the story from the heirs of the author, according to Merdeka.
“Clearly, we as heirs object to the work of our parent being adapted without asking us,” Dewa Bagus Komang Budiana told Merdeka in Jembrana on Wednesday.
“I consider it’s the government in this case that failed to protect the artwork of its citizens. In fact, they are arguably indifferent,” Budiana complained.
Photo: screengrab from Youtube video Pada Zaman Dahulu Kisah Bangau
