People in Southeast Asia and surrounding areas are believed to have the same root or from the same source. It is characterized by several cultures, customs, and values that are still reflected in the life of people in Southeast Asia and beyond. This thesis was presented by Ronnie Hatley Ph.D in his presentation at SEA Talk discussion of Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies in collaboration with American Institute For Indonesian Studies. This discussion was held on Thursday, February 18, 2016, followed by dozens of academics and researchers from various scientific backgrounds.
The similarity value in the community in Southeast Asia and surrounding areas is due to the same race: the Austronesian race. The speaker also added that in addition to the similarity, people in Southeast Asia region has been colored by several exchanges. This exchange is not only in the form of culture but also in terms of farming. In a book by Anthony Reid for example, it mentions that the exchanges have occurred since thousands of years ago.
Ronnie mentioned many uniqueness of the culture in the region of southeast asia or the Austronesian race. One example is the the ability to sail of the Austronesian race that has been owned since thousands of years ago. This ability to sail was a model for many seafarers in other regions. What is happening today in social life is believed to be nothing new. Southeast Asian society is believed to have carried out these social practices for a long time. How the position of women in the social level, the culture of giving each other, the culture of salvation, and the culture of respect for the parents are some things that have been practiced long ago.
It is possible that then, the similarity of culture among the people in Southeast Asia region has an impact on the potential for a struggle for the right to certain cultures. Actual examples that occurred for example is the struggle for the rights of some art between Indonesia and Malaysia. Ronnie Hatley also mentioned that there are still many aspects that need to be switched in the study or research in the area of Southeast Asian region history.