Indonesian government may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple Minister

JAKARTA - The government is still finalising a plan to install a permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, to facilitate visitors with special needs to access the World Heritage Site, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said on June 5.

A stairlift is a device designed to bring people up and down a stairway.

A temporary stairlift was installed ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit on May 29, which caused a heated debate in Indonesia.

“It was just a trial, so actually it has been planned for quite some time,” Mr Fadli said on June 5, as quoted by Antara news agency.

“This is part of an adaptation for inclusivity especially for those who need it, the seniors. There are bhikkhu (monks),senior visitors or disabled people.”

Mr Fadli said the stairlift would be permanent, adding that the temporary stairlift would be dismantled and replaced with a better structure.

“We will communicate the needs with those who have the expertise to probably make a tailor-made stairlift,” he said.

“The stairlift will not be destructive because it (would) just (be) attached to the railings.”

Previously, the government insisted the stairlift was installed based on a request from the French government so that Mr Macron could ascend Borobudur more quickly and easily.

Despite all the preparations, Mr Macron opted to ascend Borobudur on foot, republika.co.id reported on May 29.

“Borobudur Temple is about as high as a 12-storey building and the French president had limited time in his state visit,” Presidential Communication Office head Hasan Nasbi said on May 26, ahead of Mr Macron’s visit.

However, Mr Hasan said there were then suggestions for the stairlift to be made permanent at the temple.

“Initially the stairlift was temporary but then there were suggestions from several groups, such as the Buddhist