USM, PENANG, 19 November 2016 – The Indonesia Cultural Night (ICN) 2016 once again showcased the rich and diverse Indonesian culture to the Universiti Sains Malaysian (USM) community and the local people.

According to the Vice-Consul of Information, Social and Cultural Affairs, Republic of Indonesia in Penang, Ibu Isana Mandasari, she is very thankful to USM for providing such a platform to the Indonesian students studying in the university to introduce their culture to the Malaysian students with the hope that it would be better understood and appreciated.

"Such a programme would also help to preserve the Indonesian cultural heritage especially among the younger generation.

"The Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Penang is always supportive of such a programme that would help to strengthen ties among the Indonesian students and bring them closer with one another as they plan and organise the event together," said Ibu Isana, in her speech representing the Indonesian Consul General here this evening.

Meanwhile, the Project Director of ICN 2016 Mohd Irman said, ICN is an annual event organised by the USM Indonesian Students Association to highlight the Indonesian culture to the audience mostly made up of USM students.

“Having the theme West Java, and synonymous with its location in Bandung, Indonesia, the ICN 2016 presented an interesting performance by professional dancers and also a special drama theatre performed by students from the theatre group of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Bandung.

"ICN also serves as an important platform for cultural exchange between Malaysia and Indonesia through the Indonesian students," he said.

For the President of the USM Indonesian Student Association, Abdul Rahman Hakim, he stated that in this era of globalisation, cultural identities are being forgotten by the present generation, and a programme of this nature would be able to spur interest in such matters.

Also present at the event were the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal and Assistant Registrar of USM International Mobility and Career Centre (IMCC), Aizat Hisham Ahmad.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Tan Ewe Hoe / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa