PETALING JAYA: Malaysians across the political divide were united in condemning the attack on the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta in protest against the claim that the traditional Tor-tor is a heritage of this country.

Members of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan parties criticised the action of about 50 Indonesians who demonstrated in front of the embassy, torching the Malaysian flag and throwing eggs into the compound.

The group, which attacked a security guard at Malaysia Hall and hurled stones and pieces of wood at the building, was angry that Malaysia was claiming that the Tor-tor (which literally means dance) and the striking of the Gordang Sambilan (nine drums) as part of the national heritage.

According to the group, the dance and the beating of the drums popular among the north Sumatran Mandailing community in Indonesia and in parts of Malaysia were a tradition belonging exclusively to Indonesia.

Barisan and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said that attacks against Malaysian interests in Jakarta appeared to be seasonal and happened each time some Indonesians had an issue with this country.

“Our Foreign Ministry should send a protest note to Indonesia and seek an assurance on the safety of our embassy staff and property,” he said.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung called for decisive action by the Indonesian authorities, noting that similar incidents had occurred in the past.

While the attack would not affect Malaysia-Indonesia ties, he said, Jakarta should deal with this latest incident effectively to prevent a recurrence.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said he could not understand the action of the protesters because Malaysia and Indonesia had a lot in common in their cultural heritage.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he “cannot accept the incident” although he was a descendant of the Mandailing.

“The attack on the embassy cannot be supported, and I condemn it,” he added.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said Malaysia and Indonesia should find a way to manage each other's cultural claims.

Indonesia should not allow such an incident to occur every time there is a disagreement over a claim, he said.

Former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin, who was involved in establishing the Malaysia-Indonesia friendship association of journalists, said he was shocked by the attack.

“This is the act of a narrow-minded group of people who might have been hired to try and create a big issue out of a small matter,” he added.

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