Tasya Ramadani

216310010
3B

Summary/ Response Essay

Irony! Malaysia claims Reog Ponorogo since 2008, FWJ-Indonesia: Coordinating Minister for PMK
don't just "Nonsense" pass at UNESCO

Based on article from Indonesian lenses “Irony! Malaysia claims Reog Ponorogo since 2008, FWJ-
Indonesia: Coordinating Minister for PMK don't just "Nonsense" pass at UNESCO” Written by D
irianto said in this article The Jakarta-Indonesia Journalists Forum (FWJI) asked the Coordinating
Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy to be serious about
overseeing the Reog Ponorogo art which has become a cultural asset of the archipelago, to be
immediately recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) as a Cultural Heritage Nothing Indonesian nation.

“The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture must seriously fight for this
archipelago's cultural assets at UNESCO. Don't get to the extent of "Nonsense" politics. Because it is
very ironic, Malaysia, which once claimed Reog Ponorogo from 2008 to 2022, is in fact the
Indonesian Government has not been able to arrange recognition at Unesco," said the Advisory Board
of FWJ-Indonesia, Joko Irianto Hamid after a discussion with the Chairperson of FWJ-Indonesia,
Mustofa Hadi Karya (Opan), Jakarta, Thursday (7/04/2022).

As a result, continued the FWJ-Indonesia functionary who cares about preserving the archipelago's
culture, the government's slow actions are synonymous with a lack of seriousness in protecting the
archipelago's cultural assets. Naturally, he said, now it is an opportunity for Malaysia to return to
claiming Reog as a cultural product to be registered with UNESCO.

“Malaysia claims that the Reog noise has appeared for 14 years, since the administration of President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). In fact, the ministries responsible for protecting the archipelago's
cultural assets during the SBY era did nothing, because they were also not registered with Unesco,"
said this senior journalist at LensIndonesia.com.

It is known that Malaysia's claim in 2008 sparked a large protest reaction from Reog artists and the
people in the area up to the Malaysian Embassy. This art is the Malaysian barongan art whose
physical form and dance movements are exactly the same as the Ponorogo reog art.

"So, don't let "Omdo" fight for Reog at UNESCO to be repeated in the era of President Jokowi. It will
be even more ironic in the future, because the public will definitely ask for accountability for the
existence of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture," criticized Joko, who is
also a former Jawa Pos senior journalist, and author of a 380-page book entitled "Telisik Journalism:
Restore Harum Citarum" (the longest river in West Java). "World's Dirtiest"), published in 2019.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy asked the
Ponorogo Regency Government to immediately propose Reog Ponorogo to UNESCO, and prepare the
necessary data.

"For Reog, Malaysia plans to submit it too, therefore we have to go first. Because this has become our
culture and heritage," said Muhadjir as quoted from his official statement, Tuesday (5/4/2022).

Muhadjir also invited the entire community to support Reog Ponorogo to become an Intangible
Cultural Heritage at UNESCO. This Reog Ponorogo art is included in the single nomination for
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) to be proposed by Indonesia to UNESCO.
This art was recorded as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia by the Minister of Education
and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia in 2013. “I fully support Reog being proposed to become an
intangible culture at UNESCO. I try to be successful and to be proud, not only for the people of
Ponorogo, but also for all of Indonesia," said Muhadjir

Based on the presentation by the Deputy for Coordination of Mental Revolution, Promotion of
Culture and Sports Achievement Didik Suhardi, the Reog proposal and completeness documents have
been received by the Directorate General of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture through the
Directorate of Cultural Protection and have been submitted to the UNESCO ICH Secretariat on March
31 2022 along with other nominations, namely : Tempe, Jamu, Indonesian Weaving, and Kolintang.

"In terms of video readiness, photos and documents have been prepared by Ponorogo Regency.
Previously it was also received by the Ministry of Education and Culture, but until today there has
been no further announcement," said Didik Suhardi.

REGENT OF SUGIRI, PEACOCK AND TIGER

Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko in his statement, during a selection interview with UNESCO, he
explained the use of peacock feathers and tiger skin in the Reog art. Not plucking peacock feathers,
but using peacock feathers that fall off the peacock's body within a certain period of time.

Especially for tiger skins, they no longer use genuine tiger skins like in the past. But now, it has been
replaced by goat skins which are packaged to resemble tiger skins. This issue, Sugiri said he had
convinced UNESCO.

“We will continue to work hard so that this can pass. Please also pray for all the people of Ponorogo,"
said Sugiri, the Ponorogo Regent was the first to fight for his regional traditional arts assets of
historical value to the Ponorogo people to get UNESCO recognition.

Responses

In my opinion, what the FWJ-Indonesia functionaries said was that the government's slow actions
were synonymous with a lack of seriousness in protecting the archipelago's cultural assets. The slow
movement of the government to take serious action can have an impact on our cultural assets that
have existed since the time of our ancestors. Many other countries want to claim our culture because
our culture is attractive and the government's lack of interest in protecting the cultural heritage of our
ancestors.
I also agree with the regent of Ponorogo, Sugiri Sancoko, of peacock feathers and tiger skin in the
Reog art. Not plucking peacock feathers, but using peacock feathers that fall off the peacock's body
within a certain period of time.
Especially for tiger skins, they no longer use genuine tiger skins like in the past. But now, it has been
replaced by goat skins which are packaged to resemble tiger skins. Because these animals are
protected animals, we must preserve and protect them, such as peacocks and tigers, which are almost
extinct due to irresponsible individuals. Replacing tiger skin with goat skin that resembles tiger skin is
a very wise move so that we can preserve our culture and animals at the same time.

Reference:

Irianto, D., Hernawan, andiono, Eldon, A., & Ridwan, M. (2022, April 22). Ironi! Malaysia klaim
Reog Ponorogo sejak 2008, FWJ-indonesia: Menko PMK Jangan Cuma "omdo" loloskan di
unesco. LensaIndonesia.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from
https://www.lensaindonesia.com/2022/04/08/ironi-malaysia-klaim-reog-ponorogo-sejak-2008-
fwj-indonesia-menko-pmk-jangan-cuma-omdo-loloskan-di-unesco.html 
Brainstorming

Plagiarsm