I don't have a daily routine, I do what i can do.

I don't like to just sit around in my house.

Hard work, office work, I've done them all but deceiving people, I never do that, I'm far from that.

Datuk Hanafiah, artist & pioneer of the Balikpapan Cultural Movement

Before I resided in Balikpapan city, I have traveled to many Dayak villages

I studied the culture of every Dayak clan

Studying it didn't need a teacher, but by close observation.

I watched closely, then I explored it by studying the story behind each dance.

So the right way is to study the story behind each dance, to enable you to understand each movement.

From 1956, I developed this.

For this province, East Kalimantan Province, by the mandate from Kutai Kingdom...

They made me the leader for cultural preservation for this area.

In the neighboring city, Samarinda, they have appointed the Sultan's cousin, H. Raden Patpol.

At Tenggarong city, the Sultan's son, H. Pugerpuger.

But they have all now been long gone. It's only me now.

Does the government pay any attention to the art and culture in Balikpapan?

There's no help at all from the government!

For example, I travel regularly to Surabaya, Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, with my crew.

We're getting help from institutions, donations from the police or even the army. That's what's enabled us to go to these cities.

But when they need us, when there's a ceremony, the government will ask for our help, then they will give us help.

If we're talking about the current government...

Don't need to mention art, they don't even care for the basic needs of the people.

So did government provide facilities for artists?

Only if they want any help, to show us in parks, buildings, offices.

That's clear, I'm only talking about facts, no fantasies.

So how do you respond to this situation?

Since i'm a civilian, not government official, not political personality, not in the bureaucracy...

I don't think of any suggestions, plans, or any hopes.

You know these government officials are no strangers to us, but they don't want to help.

So how do you see the younger generation?

The younger generation, with so much improvement in technology...

Even kids in elementary school now, they are using smartphones.

They have money, but in here (knowledge), they have less than other generations before them.

So we need to maintain our discipline in all aspects of life.