Stairlift at Borobudur Temple May Become Permanent, Says Culture Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the government plans to make the stairlift at Borobudur Temple a permanent facility, though it will undergo further testing first.

"We will try to make it permanent. It will be tested first," he said at Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, as quoted from a video released by the presidential communication team.

Fadli argued that the stairlift causes no damage to the temple since no screws or bolts are used. He also claimed that similar lifts are already in place at cultural heritage sites worldwide. "Because for inclusivity, stairlifts have already been installed in all cultural heritage sites around the world," he said.

Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi confirmed that the proposal to make the stairlift permanent had been raised and considered it a reasonable idea. He said the lift could serve as a long-term accessibility solution, especially for people with mobility limitations.

"The initial plan was indeed to make the stairlift temporary," Hasan said after a Public Diplomacy PCO event in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. "The proposal (to make it permanent) seems quite good."

Hasan explained that the idea came from several groups, including members of the Buddhist community and cultural observers, who hoped to make heritage sites more inclusive. The final decision, however, lies with the relevant ministries, the Cultural Heritage Council, and Borobudur’s management. "Whether it becomes permanent or not, there will certainly be official meetings and considerations from the stakeholders. But as a proposal, this is very worth hearing," he said.

Meanwhile, archaeologist Ismail Lutfi from Malang State University criticized the use of a stairlift or elevator at the site, which was installed during the visit of President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Lutfi argued that decades of preservation efforts, involving extensive resources, should not be compromised for the sake of convenience. "All of this cannot be compared to one interest that prioritizes comfort, especially for certain parties," he said.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, he added, Borobudur must be preserved with care and not turned into a commodity for religious, political, or tourism interests. He stressed the need for consistent enforcement of preservation laws.

Daniel A Fajri and Defara Dhanya contributed to this article.

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