President Siregar?: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) receives the traditional Batak title of Patuan Sorimulia Raja from the leaders of the Angkola Bataknese Traditional Institution in Balige, North Sumatra, on Tuesday. The President’s full name is now Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Siregar. A Presidential spokesman said Tuesday the President’s full name would not be changed.Antara/Rumgapres/Anung
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was given the honorary title Patuan Sorimulia Raja in Balige, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, while the First Lady was dubbed Naduma Harungguan Hasayangan.
With the new title, the President’s full name becomes Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Siregar. The First Lady is now Kristiani Herawati Bambang Yudhoyono Pohan.
The title was presented by the Angkola Bataknese Traditional Institution before the President officially opened a new Batak museum at the TB Silalahi Center complex at Pagar Batu, Toba Samosir regency, North Sumatra.
The feudalistic title presentation was marked by the handover of traditional attire from the six Batak subethnic groups to the President and his wife. The clans were Karo, Simalungun, Pakpak Dairi, Mandailing, Angkola and Batak Toba.
Of the six subethnics, the Angkola bestowed the title upon the President and Kristiani Yudhoyono.
In the title presentation there was no mention of SBY receiving the title of Batak king as was previously reported. The plan to give him the title of Batak king was strongly protested by Batak youth in Medan and Jakarta.
Batak Angkola spokesperson Layari Siregar said the title presentation had nothing to do with politics. “It’s better for us to farm ducks than be involved in politics,” Layari said.
The President expressed his gratitude for the honorary title. “My wife and I feel honored by this presentation,” he said.
In his speech the President demanded that all heritage pieces belonging to the Batak community currently housed overseas should be returned to Indonesia.
“There are thousands of Batak scripts that are scattered overseas. Do try to bring them back amicably with the holders,” he said, urging that those that are returned should be stored at the Batak museum in Balige.
The three-story museum was built by former state minister TB Silalahi on a 5-hectare plot of land.
The first story consists of offices, a CCTV room, a laboratory, a service room and a utility room.
The second floor is equipped with a permanent exhibition hall, a temporary display room, a display room for special artefacts, an audio-visual room and an education room.
On the third floor, visitors will find a rooftop cafe and viewing area.
The President highlighted the importance of supporting the museum in becoming a Batak cultural development center. He asked that the museum be backed up by accurate data and information and house a wide variety of collections to enable it to become a convenient and complete cultural window.
“We hope the museum will be able to contribute significantly in the effort to raise the number of tourists coming to the Lake Toba area,” he said.
The President and his entourage flew to Tapanuli, North Sumatra, by presidential airplane Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-500.
Because the runway at Silangit airport in Siborong-borong was short, the plane was forced to abruptly stop precisely at the end of the runway, forcing members of the entourage into a bit of shock.
Later in the evening, presidential spokesman Julian Pasha downplayed the Batak title, saying the First Couple had only received a cultural honor, not a marga (clan title).
