Macron and Prabowo Take Stairlift to Borobudur's Peak During Temple Visit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron reached the top stupa of Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, using a stairlift. According to Culture Minister Fadli Zon, the stairlift operated smoothly without any issues.

"There were no problems," Fadli said after accompanying Prabowo and Macron at the temple, as quoted from a video released by the presidential communication team.

Fadli noted that stairlifts are commonly used at cultural heritage sites around the world. He added that the government plans to make the stairlift a permanent feature at Borobudur Temple.

"We will try to make it permanent," he said.

However, Fadli emphasized that further trials would be conducted before making a final decision. He assured that the stairlift does not cause any damage to the structure, as no bolts or wall attachments are used. "Not a single wall or bolt damages the stone," he said.

The Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party also mentioned that Prabowo and Macron met with monks at the top of the temple. Macron toured the temple to view its reliefs and even touched a Buddha statue inside one of the stupas. "He touched the statue," said Fadli.

Fadli added that Macron was impressed by the beauty of Borobudur Temple, although he wished he had more time to explore. "Macron enjoyed it very much. He said it was too short," he said.

The use of stairlifts at Borobudur has faced criticism from experts. Archaeologist Ismail Lutfi from Malang State University expressed concern that decades of preservation work, involving significant effort, time, and funding, could be undermined.

"All of that cannot be compared to one interest that prioritizes comfort, especially for certain parties," he said.

As a site recognized as a world heritage, according to Lutfi, Borobudur Temple should be treated proportionally and should not become a commodity for any interest, whether religious, political, or tourism. He also highlighted the importance of consistent enforcement of preservation regulations.

Defara Dhanya contributed to the writing of this article.

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