A total of 18 members of the Reyog Ponorogo Community (KRP) visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) office on Jalan Pejambon, Central Jakarta, Monday (2/11/2015). They came to ask for information and clarification regarding the burning of reyog at the Consulate General in Davao, Philippines.
They brought 2 sudden peacocks, a barong, and a gayor with a picture of a dragon, a banner that reads "Resolute Action on Burning Reyog at the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao Philippines" and an open letter to Foreign Minister Retno LP 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 reyog burning.
"Our arrival is to officially ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the "superior" of the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao - Philippines to convey information and clarification honestly and transparently regarding the burning of Reyog Ponorogo's property," said KRP Chairman, Suyatno to reporters.
Suyatno was accompanied, among others, by the Deputy Chairperson of the KRP Suparno Nojeng, the Secretary of the KRP M Syaiful Jihad, the Treasurer of the KRP Agus Susanto, the leader of the reyog group Singo Wiro Yudho, Eko Prasetyo and the reyog artist who had performed in Davao Philippines in 2005, Suyono Gendon.
After waiting for some time, 6 KRP representatives were received by Siti Sofia Sudarma, Director of Information and Media at 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 by forming a team to the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao in the near future.
"The team will further clarify the incident and we will convey the results to the KRP," said Sofia.
Previously, reports and photos of the burning of reyog artistic properties such as gayor, peacock masks and dragon head gamelan were appeared in a number of online media, accompanied by photos of the burning of the peacock mask. The arson was allegedly carried out in the courtyard of a house that also serves as the Indonesian Consulate General's office in Davao City, Philippines. In the news that also spread on social media it was written that the reason for the burning was because they considered the property as an idol.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao confirmed on its website that it had destroyed the Ponorogo area on 20 October 2015. The asset since 1988 was burned because it was in a damaged condition and eaten by termites. The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao is trying to find a new replacement.
"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. absolutely nothing to do with efforts to exorcise idols or spirits,"