A Number Of Indonesian Dalang Associations Suggest Jokowi As The Father Of Indonesian Puppets

Dalang meeting with the Head of KSP Moeldoko/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - A number of Indonesian puppet artists had an audience with the Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, Thursday 21 July, to convey the condition of the artists and propose President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as the Father of Indonesian Puppets. The National Puppet gives wayang a place of honor. As a form of our appreciation to the President, we propose him as the Father of Indonesian Puppets," said Chairman of the Indonesian Puppet Party (Pepadi) Tumiyono in a KSP press release, in Jakarta, Thursday, July 21. In an audience with Moeldoko , attended by the Executive Board of the Indonesian Puppeters Association (Pepadi), the National Secretariat of Indonesian Puppets (Senawangi), the ASEAN Pupettry Association, and the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) Indonesia, the Indonesian Puppet Association (Pewangi). Tumiyono on that occasion also revealed the condition of the puppet artists according to him, during the COVID-19 pandemic artists barely had pen income because the gig agenda didn't work. "For two years, wayang artists, puppeteers, have had no jobs," said Tumiyono.

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the government will not let go and will continue to pay attention to the condition of the artists, especially shadow puppet artists and people, by providing a social safety net. in the midst of various limitations due to the pandemic," said Moeldoko. The 2013-2015 TNI commander also advised artists to maintain the sustainability of wayang art, so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. In addition, according to Moeldoko, there needs to be innovation by presenting the entertainment side without compromising the principles of wayang art. the values of wayang itself," said Moeldoko.