MalingSia or Malingsial: Why Indonesian Hates Malaysian So Much?

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Indonesia-Malaysia relationship has been on fire recently with the discovery channel series being the triggering issue. Actually, the tension happened prior to the video; abused maid, Ambalat, Manohara, Rasa Sayang Song etc. So why these Indonesian hate Malaysian so much?

Made in Indonesia

It begins when Srivijaya kingdom collapse to Majapahit. Sang Nila Utama seek refugee in Bintan which then run to Temasik after killing Temagi (Temasik’s ruler) since they’ve been head-hunted by Majapahit’s people. After the Majapahit’s people know Parameswara (cucu Sang Nila Utama) existence in Temasik, they plan to kill him but eventually Parameswara and his people managed to run to Melaka. Our (so called “Malay”) civilisation evolved since then. And sometimes, that’s what makes Indonesian think that Malaysian shouldn’t be any better than them.

But what I don’t understand is why they have difficulty realizing history doesn’t make anyone better, but our progress does. Despite the fact that Indonesia proclaimed independence in 1945, Malaysia was in 1957 and Singapore in 1963, the reverse is true when talks about the “national progression”. Stop thinking “Malaysia is nothing without Indonesia” or maybe “Singapore is nothing without Malaysia” (or vice versa). If so, Malay people in those countries will end up wasting time justifying each other existence while other races in the same country have developed further.

Gap in Education

Indonesia has almost 10 times Malaysian population but with the same number (if not less) of tertiary educational facility (university etc.). Therefore, majority of rural settlers who value survival more than education don’t have degrees or diplomas. Moreover, their lower level of educational structure (primary/ secondary school & kindergarten) doesn’t reach all kids. Side effect of not having critical mass of ‘educated community’ would end up emotionally-driven conclusion than rationally-wise thinking.

It’s easier to sympathise on Manohara Pinot’s mom weep than realizing she might be the one who cause the trouble. Zulaikha also crying to his husband and accuse Yusuf of raping her. Only if they have video technology that time, I’m sure it will be in YouTube by now which then easy for us to compare. Remember, looks can be deceiving without second thought.

Having said that, I have great respect to whomever (Malaysian/ Indonesian) graduated from Indonesian universities. The fact that the students able to secure seat in any particular university from 200+ million population is enough to explain their brainpower. In fact, some of Europe’s engineering companies seize the opportunity to hire their third & fourth year students who has another one or two years to complete. I can’t recall any of our local university; including UM, has that privilege though. And as far as I know, not many Malaysian students are able to graduate without having to ‘extend’ for another year or two there.

Strong Entrepreneurial Spirit

One of the bad things of having highly populous nation is the limited job opportunity, which makes sense for the rest of them venturing into business world. On the other side, the good thing of having more than 200 million people made domestic demand is sufficient to support overseas expansion plan. You’ll be amazed by the number of airline companies Indonesian once had, agriculture land are they’d converted and their local companies (not GLC) growth rate. This explains why mega-companies nowadays are continuously emerging from highly populated countries.

However, abnormally high entrepreneurial spirit can lead to freedom to think, to talk and to act without second thought. Combine with uneducated thinking can only bring disaster. No HR going to ban you from throwing egg to embassy buildings, no immediate boss to stop you from burning others’ flag or even stopping you from ‘sweeping’ other people with sharpen bamboo stick. Absolutely no one! You can literally do anything if you believe in it or have faith in it because you have nothing to lose, especially if your business nature focuses on domestic demand only.

Together with their stealth marketing with emotional facts using covert psychological approach, it’s easy to spread the words and influence their networks (family, friends, business contacts etc.). The cyber world can only spread the words from days to seconds through various social medium. The message is casual enough for them to believe and act “to solve the problem themselves”.

So, the next question is,

If you are Malaysian, should you hate your Indonesian friends?
Or, should you divorce your couple for this issue?

First, as long as both are muslim/ muslimah, we shouldn’t hate each other. Love them as much as you love yourself. In case you don’t love yourself, treat them like your love ones (or your favourite pet). In fact, this is among the first rule of being a muslim/ muslimah. Do you know that “nationalism” is actually one of the ways to tear muslim apart?

Secondly, if you are none of muslim or muslimah, don’t hate them as yet. Though the situation seems to be over-reacted, so far it involved small quarters only; so don’t penalized them as a whole (unless their government officially declare war, which very unlikely) because it’s not fair to them.

Cases like Ambalat, it’s normal for neighbouring countries to have overlapping claims and border disputes. Malaysia-Singapore still fighting for Pulau Pisang after losing Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore, Malaysia-Brunei has only agreed to solve the overlapping claims on its sea during PakLah’s time & Thailand-Vietnam-Malaysia also agreed to develop the offshore oil & gas resources together after long hours of hard discussion. And what makes Ambalat so difficult to solve? It’s just as a matter of time for the win-win situation.

On the cultural issue, I personally find it difficult to segregate which one belongs to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei when all are coming from the same rumpun. Who do you think should own batik, wayang kulit, kain pelekat and so on? If it really matters, establish a heritage committee among these countries and discuss it intelligently. Talking backdoor doesn’t solve anything & can only make matters worse.

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