Culture Minister Fadli Zon has finally responded to the controversy surrounding the Mount Kawi area in East Java. The phenomenon of pilgrimage at the location has recently resurfaced in the spotlight on various social media platforms as it is often associated with the practice of pesugihan to seek wealth.
In his statement in Jakarta, Fadli Zon viewed the pilgrimage practice at Mount Kawi as part of the rich mosaic of old traditions and culture that Indonesia possesses. He emphasized that the diverse public understandings of historical sites are an inevitable reality of life within the archipelago's culture.
Furthermore, Fadli asserted that the government does not object to the existence of the site as long as the activities carried out have a positive impact. The main focus emphasized is the site's capacity to drive the cultural economy of the local community and not cause disruption or damage to the surrounding environment.
For information, the Pesarean Gunung Kawi complex in Malang Regency is known as the tomb of Raden Mas Soeryo Koesoemo or Kiai Zakaria II (Eyang Djoego) and Raden Mas Iman Soedjono. The site is routinely crowded with pilgrims, especially during the Islamic New Year or 1 Syuro celebrations, where local communities hold a cultural parade and flower-strewing procession as a form of respect for tradition.
