Recreation in Borobudur with Family, President Jokowi Asks about Temple Conservation

President Jokowi came to visit Borobudur Temple, Saturday (25/5/2024). This visit was carried out with the family.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

President Joko Widodo walks with his grandchildren, Jan Ethes Srinarendra and La Lembah Manah, in the complex of Borobudur Temple Tourism Park, Magelang Regency, on Saturday (5/25/2024).

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — President Joko Widodo paid a visit for about an hour to Borobudur Temple, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Saturday (25 /5/2024) morning. Even though this visit was carried out in a relaxed manner by inviting the family, the President also continued to try to find out, asking about problems related to the preservation of this temple which is a world cultural heritage.

Hari Setiawan, a young cultural expert from the Museum of Cultural Heritage (MCB) Borobudur Temple World Heritage, said that during the visit, President Jokowi asked several questions, including asking about the restrictions on visitors who climb the temple structure.

Later on, it was explained that visitor restrictions are part of conservation efforts because uncontrolled tourist visits have the potential to accelerate wear and weathering of the Borobudur Temple's rocks.

"President Jokowi then responded well, agreeing, and supporting these restrictions as part of efforts to preserve the temple rocks," said Hari when met after President's visit Jokowi and his family at Borobudur Temple.

In addition, the President also inquired about some yellow-colored relief and the restoration of Borobudur Temple. On that occasion, the President and his entourage also received a general explanation regarding the temple's building structure.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Escorted by Paspampres, President Joko Widodo descended from the structure of Borobudur Temple, Magelang Regency. Saturday (25/5/2024).

President Jokowi arrived with his family, including his wife Iriana Joko Widodo, his son Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, his daughter-in-law Selvi Ananda, and his two grandchildren Jan Ethes Srinarendra and La Lembah Manah. Iriana did not climb the temple structure and only sat in the courtyard guarded by the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres).

As for President Jokowi, he went up to aisle 1 on the third floor of the temple. Meanwhile, Gibran, together with his wife and two children, went up to the ninth floor of Borobudur Temple.

Just like other groups of tourists, President Jokowi and his family also obeyed the rules for climbing onto the structure by wearing special upanat sandals. They, including Jokowi, who was wearing formal clothes at that time, took off their shoes and socks, then changed into upanat sandals. Upanat sandals were even worn by Jan Ethes and La Lembah Manah because these sandals had been produced in small sizes for children.

Also read: Riding a carriage with Jokowi, Jan Ethes sits in front of him

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

The eldest son of Joko Widodo and also the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was also targeted to take a group photo with visitors of Borobudur Temple on Saturday (25/5/2024).

Welcome from residents and tourists

The entourage of Jokowi arrived around 10:00 and left the location around 11:00. During his journey from the courtyard to the top of the temple, Jokowi was warmly welcomed by tourists who were also eager to take a photo with him. This request was accommodated by Jokowi, who then took photos with some of the visitors.

A group of foreign students from Airlangga University, Surabaya, was one of the groups who felt happy to be able to take photos with Jokowi.

"The opportunity to take a photo with the President is truly a special moment for us," said Candice (20), a Belgian national student. The arrival of Jokowi came as a surprise and was not known to them beforehand.

Similar remarks were also made by Marisa (20), a student from the Netherlands. They are a group of exchange students who happen to be studying at Airlangga University.

Also read: Joint leave, President and family in their favorite place

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Meisya (12), a child, a visitor from Semarang, shows off the hampers she received from President Joko Widodo's entourage who came to visit Borobudur Temple, Saturday (25/5/2024).

Candice admitted to being impressed by Jokowi's visit, a president who can get close and mingle with his people. Belgium, her home country, is led by a king and whenever the King of Belgium passes by, the people are usually not allowed to approach.

Jokowi's arrival also impressed Meisya (12), who had just made her first visit to Borobudur Temple.

"I have only recently come to Borobudur Temple. "I didn't expect it at all, but instead I could see Pak Jokowi and get t-shirts and hampers from him," he said.

Meisya came to Borobudur Temple with her father, mother and sister. The Hampers obtained contained toiletries such as soap, skin cream and telon oil.