

The Dutch scholar of Indonesian literature A. Siregar, however, considered the similarities between Zainuddin and Steve, as well as Hayati and Magdalena, too close, suggesting plagiarism. Jassin also emphasised that the novel discussed issues with Minang adat, which would not be found in a foreign work. OCLC222168801.The literary documentarian HB Jassin, who compared the two using an Indonesian translation of Sous les Tilleuls entitled Magdalena, wrote that there was very little chance that the novel should be called plagiarism, as Hamka's descriptions of locations were highly detailed and consistent with his earlier works. Jakarta: Akademi Sastera dan Bahasa 'Multatuli'. Ringkasan dan Ulasan Novel Indonesia Modern (in Indonesian). Ekstrinsikalitas Sastra Indonesia (in Indonesian). Kesusastraan Indonesia Modern dalam Kritik dan Esei I (in Indonesian). 'Apakah Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck Plagiat?'. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012.

Teeuw noted, without concluding whether similarities were conscious or unconscious, that the books had similarities, but agreed that Van der Wijck had purely Indonesian themes. The literary documentarian HB Jassin, who compared the two using an Indonesian translation of Sous les Tilleuls entitled Magdalena, wrote that there was very little chance that the novel should be called plagiarism, as Hamka's descriptions of locations were highly detailed and consistent with his earlier works.
