Viral Installation Of Escalators In Borobudur Temple, Minister Of Public Works Opens Voice

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo opened his voice regarding the viral news of the installation of an escalator on the stairs to Borobudur Temple, Central Java. Reportedly, this escalator was built ahead of President Prabowo Subianto's visit and French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of May.

Dody was reluctant to comment much when asked about the truth of the news. According to him, in the Borobudur Temple area, there are many facilities that can facilitate visits to the top of the temple.

"Will the escalator be built for the arrival of the French president? Frankly, I can't answer, just as far as I know there are already Buggy (cars) and so on that can be used so that the President (Prabowo Subianto) and others can reach the top comfortably," said Dody to reporters at his office, Monday, May 26.

In addition, Dody was also reluctant to answer whether it was allowed to build an escalator on a building that is a world heritage site. Dody visited Borobudur Temple some time ago to check preparations ahead of the visit of the two presidents. However, he admitted that he was more focused on areas outside the temple.

"When I visited there yesterday, the manager of Borobudur had done many things, one of which was umbul-bulge and so on. Then, it seems that they have also carried out several small renovations towards the summit. I don't know the details because the area has been closed to the public," he said.

"Because there are several things that need to be prepared and I can't enter. I came basically to check whether the infrastructure around which we have been working on is still functioning properly. For example, the road that will be passed by the president is still good, that's all," he continued.

He explained that Borobudur Temple was not included in the management of the Ministry of Public Works, but the Ministry of Culture and was managed by a subsidiary of PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia or InJourney.

"At the time of renovating the area, PU focused on the surrounding area. So, it was not included in the main object because it was under the Ministry of Culture and was managed by InJourney," he concluded.

To note, on social media, video uploads were spread containing a number of iron plates and wooden boards installed on a number of steps from Borobudur Temple to the top. The installation of a number of iron plates to this wooden board was prepared to connect the visit of President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Then, the video upload also invited a netizen response.

"I got news from a friend that someone asked for an escalator to be installed in Borobudur Temple. Is it possible that the concept is like this, yes," wrote the account tweet @madi**** as quoted by VOI.

"Info from the location of Borobudur Temple is also engineered with special escalator facilities to climb onto the temple without crossing the steep stone ladder. Candi stone can last hundreds of years free of metal elements. But in Indonesia, the 1200-year-old temple is fitted with an escalator because the President wants to go up," tweeted the @IGN*** account, as quoted by VOI.