Riau. The traditional Pacu Jalur boat race from Kuantan Singingi Regency (Kuansing), Riau, is currently going viral and drawing international attention. However, the tradition is now allegedly being claimed as part of Malaysian culture by several Malaysian netizens.

“Pacu Jalur has existed in Malaysia, specifically in Penang, since the 12th century, introduced by Datuk Noor Hidayat,” wrote TikTok user @_d54*.

“Pacu Jalur is originally Malaysian, passed down from our ancestors. Any version seen in Indonesia is artificial intelligence (AI),” claimed @alifffras**.

“Pacu Jalur is originally from Malaysia,” added @a.c.a.**08.

Responding to the issue, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid firmly said Pacu Jalur is an authentic tradition of the Kuansing people and has existed for hundreds of years.

“Pacu Jalur, as it developed in Riau, has been around for centuries and is a well-established tradition. Originally, it was used as a mode of transportation by the people, and eventually, they began racing each other. The people of upstream Kuantan preserved it as a cultural event,” Abdul Wahid said on Tuesday.

He added that Pacu Jalur has been officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Echoing the governor’s remarks, Riau’s Head of the Tourism Department, Roni Rakhmat, said that Pacu Jalur is uniquely held in Kuantan Singingi Regency and is not found elsewhere.

“This shows that cultural preservation efforts are centered in Kuantan Singingi. These kinds of claims are just the dark side of social media. What’s important is that we stay focused on preservation -- on ensuring Pacu Jalur remains alive, introducing innovations, and attracting more tourists to Teluk Kuantan,” he concluded.

The boat race gained global attention after iconic movements from the Pacu Jalur tradition were imitated by world-renowned football clubs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan.

The confident, spirited dance movements of young rowers at the bow of the traditional boats were seen as exuding a powerful, authentic “aura,” captivating audiences worldwide.