Guesswhat: Alwi Sihab

Guesswhat: Alwi Sihab

As dangdut music filled the air in one of the rooms of the
grand Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Alwi Sihab climbed onto the stage and danced joyfully to the
tune.

He was joined by other Indonesian and Chinese officials, who
cavorted and moved their hands in the specific style of the music
to the song Ini Rindu (Missing You).

"I have enjoyed dangdut since I was a kid. Anyway, it is halal
(allowed), isn't it," Sihab told reporters offstage.

On May 9 the Indonesian embassy in China held a reception to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
the two countries.

A troupe of entertainers from Indonesia, including singers
Rani and Angel Pfaff, entertained the audience with Indonesian
traditional dances and songs. Butet, a traditional song from
Sumatra, and Bengawan Solo from Central Java, were sung in
Mandarin.

An Indonesian student said Butet was quite popular in Beijing.

"There is a cassette containing this song in Mandarin. I've
heard it before on the radio," she said.

It remains to be seen if dangdut can become as popular in
Beijing as Mandarin action flicks are in Indonesia. (sim)