Issue: ‘Tiga Mojang’ statue may go to Bali’

June 20, Online: Following protests from several local hard-line Islamic groups, Bekasi’s Tiga Mojang (Three Ladies) statue will likely be moved to Bali, a real estate development company says. PT Hasana Damai Putra may follow a suggestion from the statue’s noted sculptor, Nyoman Nuarta, and move Tiga Mojang from Kota Harapan Indah residential in Bekasi, West Java, to Garuda Wisnu Kencana complex in Bali, spokesman Fredy Yanto told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. The statue may be presented with Nyoman’s ongoing Garuda Wisnu Kencana statuary project, which is also exhibited at the complex. “Pak Nyoman said it will be better if the statue is in a place where people will respect it,” Fredy said. Fredy also said that some overseas collectors might be interested in buying the statue, which is valued at Rp 5 billion (US$550,000). The Tiga Mojang statue stands 17 meters high and depicts three ladies wearing traditional West Javanese clothing. The Bekasi municipal administration decided on Saturday to tear down the statue after several hard-line Islamic groups protested that Tiga Mojang symbolized the Christian Trinity and was “obscene”.

Your comments:

On one hand, it was created by a Balinese and the sculptor wishes to keep it from being damaged. On the other hand, it’s a pity that some self-appointed “leaders” can influence the acts of government.
Next time, the sculptor and the politicians in charge should think a bit more thoroughly, otherwise, Bali will becomes a scrap-yard for all objects rejected in other places.
That is not the objective of Balinese culture. Plus, I’ve visited GWK and didn’t get the connection to Bali. To me, it looks like a monument to some influential people.It’s just too big. Maybe it can be exported?
Satriya
Kediri, East Java
 
Moving a statue is not impossible. It’s good idea to move it to Bali where people love art and harmony. We all should pray that the people of Bekasi don’t have much time to sightsee on Jl. Sudirman in Jakarta where they may find the Da Vinci Building, a building with many non-Muslim statues on its facade.
Suri Adnyana
Bekasi, West Java
 
These hard-line groups are too narrow-minded. They admire Arab culture, which a foreign culture,
instead of admiring their own
culture.
Richard
Jakarta

I doubt that the FPI could care less about the interpretation of the meaning of the statue; they have set a course of psychological warfare against anyone that disagrees with their narrow view of the world and the statue is a convenient way of advancing their cause.
Bekasi municipal administration has surrendered to thuggery. Who will be next to fly the white flag of surrender?
From afar this whole saga looks like a piece of science fiction, but for those living closer to the scene I know this must have been quite scary, to see the intimidation by the FPI and no one in authority brave enough to stand up to them, now right down to the municipality. Is this how the hallmark of tolerance in Javanese society will end?
Nairdah
Sydney
 
Since when did Christian’s Trinity concept consist of three women?
Andrew
Tangerang