Indonesia’s first international Spice Route Cultural Goodwill Mission received a positive response when it arrived in Melaka, Malaysia, on June 30, 2024. The Melaka State Government even stated that the Malaysian people, especially Melaka, support and are ready to collaborate with Indonesia to submit the Spice Route as a shared world heritage to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The relationship between Malacca, Malaysia, and Indonesia has long been intertwined in the history of spice trade from Southeast Asia to West Asia to Europe since thousands of years ago. The spice trade from Melaka and the archipelago even took place long before the era of European colonialism took place in Southeast Asia. “Melaka is a large trade center, while many spice products come from various regions in Indonesia,” said Melaka Chief Minister Abdul Rauf Yusoh at a dinner event with representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and members of the Spice Route Goodwill cruise mission delegation at Casa del Rio, Monday, July 1, 2024.
The long historical traces of Indonesia and Malaysia made the trade route known as the Spice Route shape the societies in both countries today. “We need to strengthen the relationship thanks to this Spice Route so that we can provide a historical legacy to future generations,” said Abdul Rauf.
Abdul Rauf said the arrival of the Indonesian delegation on the Spice Route voyage mission carried an important meaning in the history of relations with Malaysia. The Spice Route is a symbol of cultural connectivity between Indonesia and Malaysia, even with related countries in Asia and abroad. “This relationship must be continued. I believe that art and culture are a bridge connecting the heritage that we must build,” he said.
During the voyage to Malacca using the Indonesian Navy’s three-sail ship, KRI Dewaruci, Indonesia brought 50 members of the delegation known as Laskar Rempah consisting of young people, journalists, cultural experts, and influencers. The Spice Route Cultural Goodwill voyage mission is part of the National Priority Program implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology since 2020.
Director of Cultural Development and Utilization, Irini Dewi Wanti, said that cooperation with Malaysia is crucial in the joint promotion efforts of all destinations related to the Spice Route. “This enriches our shared narrative to continue the submission of the Spice Route as a world heritage to UNESCO,” she said.
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Irini stated that collaboration in the Spice Route Cultural Muhibah program with Malaysia will also continue to be improved. “We can do it through bilateral discussions, conducting joint projects involving experts from both countries, to student and youth exchanges,” said Irini.
The Melaka government, according to Abdul Rauf, is ready to send its delegation to Indonesia to foster friendship and continue cultural cooperation between the two countries. “We will invite Indonesian art to Melaka. Melaka will also send cultural art artists to Indonesia,” he said.
Malacca Tourism, Heritage, Art and Culture Exco YB Datu Wira Abdul Razak bin Abdul Rahman said that the collaboration of Malaysia and Indonesia to submit the Spice Route as a world heritage to UNESCO can be discussed further through a joint committee. They will also prepare a proposal to UNESCO involving the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both countries.
Abdul Razak said the Spice Route Cultural Muhibah program is a great way to preserve arts and culture together in Malaysia and Indonesia. He supports similar events being made an annual event to strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia relations. Abdul Razak hopes that the arrival of this cultural mission will expand opportunities for collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia in the future. “Hopefully we can work together further to promote and document the Spice Route as part of the culture in Melaka, Malaysia, and Indonesia,” said Abdul Razak in welcoming the Indonesian Spice Route delegation at the Muzium Rakyat, Banda Hilir, Melaka, June 30, 2024.
Before docking in Melaka, KRI Dewaruci stopped in several cities in Indonesia such as East Belitung, Dumai, and Sabang. KRI Dewaruci departed from the Tanjung Priok Military Sea Crossing Command port, Jakarta, on June 7, 2024. The Indonesian delegation is scheduled to sail once more and arrive in Jakarta on July 17. (Z-2)
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