Parliament Criticized About Borobudur Temple Ticket Prices, Coordinating Minister Luhut: Don't Look For Popularity

Screenshot of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan during a Working Meeting at the Budget Agency (Banggar) of the DPR RI. (Photo: VOI/Mary Handayani)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked members of the DPR RI not to continue to criticize the work he did to gain popularity.

The statement was made by Luhut, when a number of parties criticized the discourse on increasing ticket rates for Borobudur Temple. The discourse on the increase in ticket prices has indeed become a polemic because it touched Rp. 750,000.

"So don't look for it, I'm sorry sir, madam, seek popularity by attacking me, sir," said Luhut, during a Working Meeting at the Budget Agency (Banggar) of the DPR RI, Thursday, June 9.

On that occasion, Luhut explained that he was only an implementer of the directives given by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Therefore, Lujut emphasized that he would not freely regulate state policies.

"I'm just an executor, sir. Trust me, I won't do what you're doing

outside so and so sir, as I wish. Everything I do is based on studies, sir, based on data," he said.

Regarding the plan to limit visits to 1,200 people per day at Borobudur Temple, Luhut explained that his party had conducted an in-depth study. However, due to input and criticism, the discourse was temporarily postponed.

"So regarding that, regarding Borobudur, we are making a comprehensive study, sir. Unesco and the numbers came out, but because of all the fuss, let's just postpone it, we'll study it later," he concluded. Luhut also admitted that he was open to criticism from all party. However, he asked for the criticism to be delivered directly to himself.

"I ask that we cooperate with you, ladies and gentlemen. If you have any doubts about what we are planning, please call us," he said.