Fact Check: Tourism Minister Enters Mosque Wearing Shoes

A video clip showing Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana entering the Sheikh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi Mosque in West Sumatra has gone viral on social media. The circulating narrative claims that Widiyanti was wearing shoes while walking in the carpeted area inside the mosque. In the video, Widiyanti is accompanied by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Padang Mayor Fadly Amran, Senator Irman Gusman, and several other regional officials. Fact Check: Based on VIVA’s investigation on Sunday, 3 May 2026, it is confirmed that Widiyanti was not wearing shoes inside the mosque. This was determined from a post by X account @panca66, showing that she had removed her shoes at the boundary of the sacred area and was using special socks resembling footwear, similar to yoga or ballet socks. The Head of the Leadership Administration Bureau of the West Sumatra Provincial Secretariat, Nolly Eka Mardianto, affirmed that he witnessed the visit directly and confirmed no breach of etiquette by the Tourism Minister. “I was part of the entourage present and witnessed the event firsthand. It is untrue that the Minister wore shoes inside the mosque; what she used were socks,” Nolly stated when confirmed by media reporters. He explained that the circulating video clip has caused a mistaken perception among the public. According to him, the entire visit proceeded while upholding the prevailing values and etiquette. “The Minister and her entire entourage followed the appropriate manners. We need to clarify that there was no use of shoes inside the mosque, as stated in several inaccurate narratives,” he added.