Obama Admires Borobudur

KOMPAS/ FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Former United States president Barack Obama, accompanied by daughter Malia Ann Obama (right), waves to tourists after visiting Borobudur Temple in Magelang regency, Central Java, Wednesday (28/6). Obama and his family also plan to vacation in Yogyakarta after a previous visit to Bali.

MAGELANG, KOMPAS – The US’ 44th president, Barack Obama (serving from 2009 to 2017) and his entourage visited Borobudur Temple in Magelang regency, Central Java, on Wednesday (28/6/2017). Despite spending less than an hour at the popular destination, Obama was satisfied.

Borobudur Conservation Center officer Mura Aristina said Obama had intently listened to all the explanations. “He said he admired the temple’s beautiful structure,” Mura said.

Obama’s entourage arrived at the temple at around 4:30 p.m. in 14 cars under heavy police escort. In line with a request from the group, journalists were prohibited from approaching Borobudur Temple after 3 p.m.

Edy Setijono, the president director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, which manages the temple, said that Obama had visited Borobudur when he was a young boy. However, Obama said that his visit this time felt special, as he was with his family.

“According to Obama, the Borobudur temple is a special structure, as it symbolizes tolerance and religious harmony in Indonesia, where the majority of the population are Muslims,” Edy said.

When Obama arrived, the management of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko requested that no other visitors disrupt the route of the former US president. As a result, thousands of visitors protested.

Yusuf, 40, who had come from Bekasi, expressed his disappointment about not being allowed to the temple’s 10^th level. “This is my first opportunity to be here with my children and introduce the temple to them,” he said.

However, Edy said a majority of travelers understood the company’s explanation. “We told them that a state guest is visiting,” he said.

Relaxed vacation

Obama’s group landed at Adisutjipto International Airport in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (28/6/2017) at 12:27 p.m. The group, which had flown from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, was greeted by Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, 072/Pamungkas Military Resort commander Brig. Gen. Fajar Setiawan, Yogyakarta Police chief Brig. Gen. Ahmad Dofiri and Adisutjipto Airbase commander Air Cmdr. Novyan Samyoga.

From Adisutjipto, the group took a 30-minute drive to Hotel Tentrem in Yogyakarta. At 3:48 p.m., Obama’s group went to Borobudur.

0734/Yogyakarta Military District commander Lieut. Col. Inf. Rudy Firmansyah said Obama had refused security for state visitors.

Based on communications between the Yogyakarta Police and the United States Secret Service, it was found that Obama wanted a relaxed vacation.

There were at least two other destinations on Obama’s agenda in Yogyakarta up to Friday (30/6): a visit to Prambanan Temple in Sleman and to Becici Peak in Bantul.

(COK/DIM/EGI/DRA)