The Rain Handler At The Mandalika Circuit Becomes The World's Spotlight, The Palace: Not Jokowi's Request

Rain handler in action at the Mandalika Circuit ahead of the MotoGP race. (Photo: MotoGP Youtube screenshot)

JAKARTA - The Palace opened its voice over the presence of the rain handler at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), during the MotoGP event. The rain handler named Raden Roro Istiati Wulandari or who is called Rara took action when it was raining just before the race was held.

The eyes of the world also focused on the action of Rara who entered the Mandalika Circuit and performed a ritual to ward off rain.

The MotoGP party, via their Twitter account, also uploaded a video showing Rara performing a ritual by holding a golden cup, a small stick, and incense in her hands.

"The master ...," wrote the @MotoGP account on Sunday, March 20.

The master... #IndonesianGP pic.twitter.com/ZUO3rk7RMK

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 20, 2022

In response to this, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, emphasized that Rara's presence was not at the request of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his entourage, but was an initiative of tourism managers.

Although, according to information circulating, Rara is a rain handler who was once recruited by Jokowi when he held a campaign event as a presidential candidate.

"Of course, the ITDC (Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation) is trying as much as possible. Maybe to make the rain subside. Not from Jokowi's side who asked for it," said Heru in a short message.

The Mandalika MotoGP race itself was won by KTM racer Miguel Oliveira. He was ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha MotoGP) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) who finished behind him.

Oliveira finished with a time of 33 minutes 27,223 seconds. He is 2,205 seconds adrift of Quartararo and 3,158 seconds of Zarco.

The winning trophy was handed over directly by Jokowi, who climbed to the podium wearing a red jacket with a G20 pattern.