taking it up a notch higher

After the Balinese Pendet dance furor, the Indonesians, especially the media have been kept busy digging the stuff of the past. Now, apparently, we, the Malaysians, even stole the NegaraKu song from them! This is fast becoming another episode from one of their sinetrons, really.

Here's a brief history about our national anthem I quoted directly from Wikipedia:

"Negaraku" (My Country) is the national anthem of Malaysia. "Negaraku" was selected as a national anthem at the time of the Federation of Malaya's independence from Britain in 1957. The tune was originally used as the state anthem of Perak, which was adopted from a popular French melody composed by the lyricist Pierre-Jean de Béranger.

Notice any mention of Indonesia? I don't. The lyricist was born and died in Paris, France. Any Indonesian relations? Nope. None at all.

The anthem was also recorded in c. 1936 by Conductor Paul Lambard (also known as Paul LOMBARD and His Orchestra), and sung by Joan Wilton (in English) duet with Geotti Brooke (in Malay) released by Columbia Records (Magic Notes series) in New South Wales, Australia; Carrying the song number (CT2763); Columbia Catalogue Reference D0-3460. The song runs 2:50. This record was found to be earlier than the recording of Felix Mendholsson's version of Mamula Moon as in the late 40's most songs are themed and modified to the Hawaiian tune and mainly was done by most famous orchestra conductors such as Victor Sylvester and Mantovani.

The significance of this piece of recording where it is only playable on gramophones running at speed 78 rpm is that the background music conducted so similarly to the Malayan style of music background, setting the originality and authentic Malayan atmosphere to the tune. The song was performed by non-natives (Australians) singing in both English and Malay. The lyrics present a love story setting between the two lovers. The song is titled as 'Malayan Moon' and the other side of the record is the song 'Planting Rice' also performed by Paul Lambard accompanied by Vocal Chorus by Joan Wilton. This piece of record was a copyright under Southern Music Co. of Sydney.

Again, I don't see any reference to Indonesia. So where the hell does this song-stealing allegation came from? As far as I'm concerned, both Indonesia and Malaysia plagiarized the song. What makes the Indonesians think that it is okay for them to do it but not us? And what, may I ask, is the actual agenda for the media in Indonesia to accuse us of such thing?

Here's a quote from The Jakarta Globe regarding the national anthem debacle:

An executive of Lokananta, a state recording company based in Solo has drawn attention to Malaysia’s national anthem, “Negaraku,” claiming that it is suspiciously similar in tune to “Terang Bulan,” a song written by the Bandung Ensemble and first recorded by Lokananta in March 1956 — a year before Malaysia’s independence was announced on Aug. 31, 1957.

Well, hello, look up the freaking facts, you morons! The freaking "Terang Bulan" song was A.D.A.P.T.E.D from the song that was written by the Frenchman! Speaking of originality, where in the world could yours be?

And to top it all of, a bunch of idiots Indonesian hackers on Monday claimed to have attacked scores of Malaysian Web sites. Monday. On our very own National Day. A statement from the hackers themselves:

Today, Aug. 31, 2009, an uncreative country, a country who likes to steal Indonesian culture, a country whose citizen is the mastermind of bombings in Indonesia, a country who has tortured many of our sisters — the migrant workers who worked there, a country who abused our national anthem, a country who harassed Indonesia on the Internet, a country that has stolen Sipadan and Ligitan islands, a country which has trespassed our water illegally, a country which received their independence from Britain, is celebrating its anniversary.

As good Indonesian citizens, we will celebrate their independence in our own way. We are celebrating by undertaking a mass attack on the country’s Web sites.

So very grown up, eh? Good citizens, eh? Maybe you people should just ask your so-called good citizens here in Malaysia to go back to your country. At least we Malaysians will feel a bit safer. Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm trying to say. Look into the mirror first before you start pointing out the ugliness of others.