Jakarta - A number of members of the Ponorogo Reog Community (KRP) visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office to ask for clarification regarding the burning of reog in front of the Consulate General in Davao, Philippines. The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao himself said that the burned reog had been damaged and eaten by termites.
15 KRP representatives gathered in front of the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), Jl Pejambon, Central Jakarta, Monday (2/10/2015). They brought reog, a banner that reads 'Strict action on burning reyog at the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao Philippines' and an open letter to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
Their arrival was related to the burning of reog that occurred at the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao on 20 October. They also attached a picture showing the burning of the reog.
"We will not take action or demonstrations. We only want to ask for information and clarification from the Minister and firm action against the government regarding this incident," said Deputy Chairman of KRP S Nojeng to reporters.
After waiting for some time, 5 KRP representatives were received by the Director of Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 10.20 WIB. For 30 minutes they held a meeting and as a result the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promised to seek information related to the incident and notify KRP again.
Later it will be clarified there why there could be an incident like this and will be notified again," said Nojeng who participated in the meeting.
By now the crowd had begun to disperse. There is no traffic jam as a result of this action.
Explanation of the Consulate General in Davao
Meanwhile, in a press release published by the Consulate General in Davao on its website, it was explained that on October 20, 2015 the Consulate General in Davao City was forced to destroy the Ponorogo reog which had been an asset of the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City since 1988. The destruction by burning had to be carried out because the Ponorogo reog was already in a state of disrepair. damaged and eaten by termites.
"The arson was not at all an attempt by the Consulate General in Davao City to damage or eliminate Reog Ponorogo as a cultural asset. The destruction of these assets has been carried out carefully and with full respect for Reog Ponorogo as a cultural asset. Consulate General in Davao City would also like to emphasize that the arson was burned. has absolutely nothing to do with efforts to exorcise idols or spirits," he wrote.
"The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City is currently communicating with parties in Indonesia to seek a new replacement for Reog Ponorogo," he continued.