Gerinda Party Chairman for Bali Says President Prabowo’s Non-Attendance at Opening of 48th Bali Arts Festival Should be Viewed Objectively
Indonesian President Prabowo’s absence as Parade Marshall to officially open the 48th Annual Bali Arts Festival (BAF) on Saturday, 13 June 2026, has left many wondering about the distancing of Indonesia’s Chief Executive from a prestigious event that, in the past, would almost always be presided over by the Republic’s President.
As reported by BeritaBali and BaliPost, the Bali Chairman of President Prabowo’s ruling Gerinda Party, Made Muliawan Arya (also popularly known as “De Gadjah”), stepped forward to blame the President’s inability to open the Island’s cultural event of the year on scheduling conflicts and other important responsibilities demanding the time of the Indonesian Head of State.
De Gadjah, speaking at the Peed Aya Opening Parade of the BAF on Saturday afternoon, 13 June 2026,said that President Prabowo has many important duties that demand his presence, and his inability to attend any one event cannot be misconstrued as the Palace’s lack of interest towards the people and the Island of Bali. Adding: “As the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the President has a great many duties and responsibilities to the Republic’s citizens demanding his attention. This fact has to be respected and accepted by all parties.”
Bali Gerinda Chairman – De Gadjah and President Prabowo
De Gadjah urged the Indonesian public not to embrace a mistaken perception regarding the President’s absence from the opening ceremony of Bali’s largest annual arts and culture celebration. The Gerinda Charman for Bali insists that the President’s bond with the people of Bali remains strong and the Central Government’s commitment to the development and safeguarding of the Island’s culture remains unchanged.
“Most importantly, don’t allow the President’s absence from one ceremony at BAF create any misconception. The President’s connection with Bali remains strong and good; his attention and commitment to Bali remain intact,” said De Gadjah.
De Gadjah admitted that the President’s participation in the opening of the BAF represents a special joy for the people of Bali. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the President’s attention and concern for Bali cannot be measured solely by his participation in a single ceremony.
The Gerinda chairman added: “Let us honor the President’s duties and collaborate to guarantee the success of the Bali Arts Festival as an event that stimulates great pride for the people of Bali and all of Indonesia.” He urged all members of the Indonesian public to ensure the momentum of the BAF is maintained to a sufficient degree to strengthen national unity and harmony, while preserving Bali’s rich cultural heritage. He said that, primarily, the public’s attention must be focused on the BAF’s ability to provide a place for the Balinese people to express their love for the Island’s rich cultural heritage.
Our focus, he insisted, must be on instilling a strong sense of pride and self-awareness among the Balinese, and on avoiding any debate that could diminish the true meaning and value of the BAF.
De Gadjah also praises the strategic role BAF plays in Indonesian tourism, the local economy, and Bali’s international promotion.
Continuing, “The BAF is a source of pride for the Balinese people and for Indonesians as a whole . . . Culture must unite us all and never be allowed to divide the Nation.”
The 28th Bali Arts Festival was “gonged” open by Bali Governor Wayan Koster at the Open Stage of the Ardha Candra Theatre on Saturday evening, 13 June 2026. Prior to the formal opening, a Grand Parade (Peed Aya) was held in the parkway surrounding the People Struggle Monument in Renon, Denpasar, Bali. Thousands of artists from across Bali marched in the parade, proudly performing their region’s cultural dances and rituals.
Acting as Parade Marshals were the Governor, accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ni Luh Enik Ermawati, and the chairman of Bali’s DPRD, Dewa Made Mahayadnya.
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