Exchange of Performances Among APA Member Countries

In line with one of the decisions taken at the First Meeting of ASEAN Puppetry Association (APA) in Palembang, South Sumatera-Indonesia, 5-7 September 2007 was Exchange of performances among APA Member countries. This decisison was further discussed at the Second Meeting of APA in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 12-13 December 2008 for possible implementation. 

At that Meeting the delegate of Brunei Darussalam again expressed his willingness to have performance of Indonesian Wayang as an introduction. This Brunei Darussalam’s gesture was reconfirmed at the Second Meeting of APA in Yogyakarta. In response to this gesture, Indonesia had sent special representatives to Brunei Darussalam consisiting of Mr. Suparmin Sunjoyo-Head of International Relations of SENA WANGI cum APA Diretor of Program, Mrs. Didy Indriani - an expert in Wayang Menak (a puppet play having Islamic flavour) and Mr. Sumari, official of Wayang Data Centre of SENA WANGI to discuss and elaborate further on this agreed plan. 

The three-officials of Indonesian delegation paid a working visit to Brunei Darussalam, and accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darusalam H.E. Mr. Herijanto Soeprapto were honoured of being received by the Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam: His Exllency Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat on 29 June 2009 in his office in Bandar Seri Begawan. On that occasion the Indonesian delegation among others stated that the purpose of the visit was to introduce Indonesian wayang. This activity to be implemented not only to strengthen the good bilateral relations between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, but also in the framework of ASEAN cooperation particularly Exchange of Performances Among APA Member Countries—exchanging and introducing each others’ art & culture. The Indonesian delegation also highlighted the establishment of ASEAN Puppetry Association (APA) in 2006 where Brunei Darussalam also sent its delegate, also attended the First Meeting of APA in Palembang (2007) and the second Meeting in Yogyakarta (2008). 

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam welcomed the offer of Indonesia to perform its wayang. The Minister stated further that wayang has a lot of noble values, teachings and heroism that need to be communicated to younger generation. 

Indonesian delegation expressed its readiness to send its wayang Menak to perform stories which are in line with the State ideology or philosophy of Brunei Darussalam namely MIB, Melayu-Islam-Beraja. 

In response, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport of Brunei Darussalam stated that Indonesia was rich in varieties of wayang which content good guidance, moral teaching, heroism etc useful for all, particularly for young generation. 

Indonesia is presently awaiting the right time indicated by Brunei Darussalam for the said performance. 

During the scheduled visit of the Indonesian Wayang Menak, it is also planned to continue discussing the project of writing a book on ASEAN Puppetry which has been reaching its second year conducted by delegates of Malaysia (as Coordinator), Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines preparing the draft to be presented to all APA member countries.