TEMPO Interactive, Kuala Lumpur:The Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has contacted Malaysia's Information, Communication and Cultural Ministry in relation to the latter’s claim to Tapanuli’s Tor Tor dance and Gondang Sambilan musical instruments from Mandailing as one of the cultural heritages of that country. "I've just requested a clarification of this issue and received an explanation from Malaysia," said the Indonesian Embassy's Social and Cultural Attache in Kuala Lumpur, Suryana Sastradiredja, when contacted by Tempo at his office, Monday, June18, 2012. Suryana received an explanation from the Coordinator of Malaysia's Cultural Communication and Information, Nor Azli, that in the meeting between the Cultural Communication Minister, Rais Yatim, and the Association of Mandailing Children on l Thursday, June 14, the participants who are Malaysian citizens of Mandailing descent asked the government to raise the Tor Tor dance and Gondang Sambilan musical instruments on a par with other culture. At a press conference following the event, Rais Yatim, said he would consider the request by registering the Tor Tor dance and Gondan Sambilan musical instruments under section 67 of the National Heritage Act. "This does not mean a claim that the Tor Tor dance and Gondang Sambilan musical instruments are Malaysia's indigenous heritage, rather it constitutes a cultural heritage of Mandailing whose origin is from Indonesia," said Suryana quoting Nur Azli's statement. MASRUR (KUALA LUMPUR)