Minister of Culture Fadli Zon responded to the recent controversy on social media regarding pilgrimage activities in the Mount Kawi area, East Java. He emphasized that the practice is an integral part of the mosaic of old traditions and culture that are deeply rooted in the lives of the Indonesian people.
In his statement in Jakarta on Monday (6/7/2026), Fadli Zon viewed the diversity of public perspectives on sacred sites as a sociological reality that needs to be addressed wisely. He stated that as long as these activities do not cause damage and bring a positive impact to the creative economy of local residents, the tradition can be seen as a cultural asset.
Previously, discussions about Pesarean Gunung Kawi became popular as netizens associated it with narratives of pesugihan practices (rituals for wealth). This negative stigma contrasts sharply with the site's function as a historical and religious area housing the tombs of charismatic figures, namely Kiai Zakaria II (Eyang Djoego) and Raden Mas Iman Soedjono.
The Pesarean Gunung Kawi area in Malang Regency has long been known as a pilgrimage center that consistently attracts thousands of visitors. The peak of crowds usually occurs during the Islamic New Year celebration or 1 Suro, where managers and the local community routinely hold cultural parades and flower-scattering rituals as a form of respect for the region's long history.
