Jakarta, 15 January 2026 — The Deputy Minister of Creative Economy / Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Irene Umar, attended a Follow-Up Coordination Meeting on the Installation of the Adaptive Chattra on the Main Stupa of Borobudur Temple, organized by the Directorate General of Buddhist Community Guidance (Bimas Buddha), Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The meeting served as a cross-stakeholder coordination forum to discuss the planned installation of the chattra, with due consideration for balancing cultural heritage preservation, religious values, and the potential economic and social impacts on surrounding communities.
The Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, attended the Follow-Up Coordination Meeting on the Installation of the Adaptive Chattra on the Main Stupa of Borobudur Temple at the H. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Jakarta, Thursday (15/1/2026).
“Borobudur Temple is entrusted to us; it does not belong to us as individuals. Our collective responsibility today is to ensure real economic and social impacts that can be felt by the community, especially those living in the surrounding areas,” said Deputy Minister Irene Umar at the H. Rasjidi Auditorium of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
During the forum, various stakeholders and representatives of the Buddhist community presented their perspectives on the planned installation of the chattra on the main stupa of Borobudur Temple. A number of strategic steps were noted to have been undertaken, taking into account community aspirations, technical considerations, and prevailing regulations.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of building shared understanding in addressing strategic issues related to national interests. According to her, the spirit of unity must serve as the primary foundation in every decision-making process.
“Let us set aside our individual egos and leave this room with one unified voice. Whatever the final agreement may be, it will symbolize our strength as a nation. Amid the global dynamics we are facing, I hope Indonesia can arrive at a decision that reflects unity,” concluded Deputy Minister Irene Umar.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
The Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance, Supriyadi, stressed that every policy related to the installation of the chattra has been formulated through a careful and well-considered process. According to him, a comprehensive approach is required to ensure that decisions align with administrative requirements, spiritual considerations, and the principles of cultural heritage preservation.
“We ensure that every stage is undertaken with thorough consideration, so that the resulting decision is not only administratively sound, but also respects religious values and the sustainability of Borobudur as a world heritage site,” said Supriyadi.
A similar view was conveyed by representatives of the Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi). They emphasized the importance of the chattra as an integral element of the spiritual meaning of Borobudur Temple. According to them, this symbolic aspect holds deep significance for Buddhists in understanding the sanctity of the main stupa.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
“The chattra is the highest spiritual symbol representing sanctity and protection. Its presence is essential to complete the spiritual meaning of Borobudur, and we hope that its installation process will become a blessing for Buddhists throughout Indonesia,” said a representative of Walubi.
The presence of various figures and stakeholders at the meeting reflects a shared commitment to maintaining balance between spiritual values, cultural preservation, and public interest. Through open and respectful dialogue, it is hoped that every decision taken will serve as a wise step toward ensuring the sustainability of Borobudur Temple as a world heritage site and as a symbol of national unity.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
