By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 18: Calls for greater respect and accountability in the use of cultural heritage took centre stage at the Merdeka Award Borneo Talk Series here in Kuching today, as speakers urged creators to prioritise community authority and responsible consultation when adapting traditional knowledge.
President of the Sarawak Heritage Society and Project Director of The Ranee, Datin Rosemarie Wong, said cultural traditions must never be treated as commercial assets without considering the custodians who inherited them. She emphasised that the community remains the rightful guardian of its own heritage.
“The community are the custodians of the culture. I am only an enabler,” she said, noting that certain motifs, such as those found in bamboo textiles, carry sacred weight that limits how they can be used.
“Putting them on a shoe, for example, brings them down to the level of the floor and is considered disrespectful,” she added.
Wong acknowledged that criticism and backlash are unavoidable for any creator working with traditional designs. However, she stressed that honest engagement with communities, along with clarity of purpose, is essential to ensure that cultural work remains respectful and grounded.
Malaysian textile artist Marcos Kueh said public reaction forms an important part of his artistic process, especially when his work touches on questions of cultural identity and interpretation. He explained that the conversations that follow an artwork often shape its meaning.
“My focus is on the questions, and sometimes the questions that come after the questions,” he said. He added that negative reactions should not be seen as deterrents.
“If people are angry, it means they care,” he said, while emphasising the importance of skilled moderation to keep difficult conversations constructive.
Indigenous musician and songwriter Alena Murang highlighted the complexities faced by artists who represent culture on global platforms. She said that in world music, the line between cultural sharing and cultural appropriation can be sensitive, which makes consultation with elders crucial.
“Being in world music is complex when it comes to cultural appropriation,” she said. She noted that her team consistently seeks guidance from cultural bearers, citing the filming of her Warrior Spirit music video as an example, whereby a handwoven yellow pua kumbu was ultimately removed from the wardrobe after some Iban elders advised against its casual use.
“The purpose of the video was still achieved without it,” she said.
Alena said each project deepens their understanding of their own heritage and the cultures they represent, reinforcing the need for thoughtful, informed decision-making.
The speakers agreed that responsible cultural expression requires more than creativity alone. They said it demands respect, transparency and genuine partnership with the communities who safeguard Sarawak’s rich and diverse traditions.
The Merdeka Award Talk Series is organised by the Merdeka Award Trust, which was founded by PETRONAS and Shell.
This year’s series, themed ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage’, celebrated how Malaysia’s identity is shaped by its rich traditions.
Held for the first time in Sarawak, the Borneo edition carried the theme ‘Inspired by Ancestors, Driven by Dreams: You Are the Next Story’, highlighting that nationhood is not just history—it’s built daily through creativity and imagination. — DayakDaily
