Surabaya Scouts Achieve Three MURI Records for Largest Participation

The Surabaya Scout movement in East Java has achieved three Museum Rekor Dunia Indonesia (MURI) records simultaneously at the Gelora Bung Tomo (GBT) stadium for the largest participation in a parent’s foot-washing ceremony, a Garuda Scout inauguration, and a semaphore demonstration. Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, who also serves as Chairman of the Branch Advisory Council (Kamabicab) for Surabaya Scouts, stated on Saturday that the Garuda inauguration involved 65,000 participants from the Siaga, Penggalang, Penegak, and Pandega levels. Meanwhile, the parent’s foot-washing ceremony was attended by 130,000 participants, and the semaphore demonstration involved 41,337 participants. He said that following this activity, the Surabaya City Government will collaborate with the Scouts to jointly promote the Pancasila Village programme. “The Scouts will be part of that, so what I read earlier (during the inauguration) was the spirit of Pancasila. This can be a way to instil these values from an early age until they become adults,” he said. He also expressed appreciation for the MURI record set by the parent’s foot-washing event, noting that the activity serves as a reminder for children to always respect their parents. “Because the pleasure of God is the pleasure of parents. Thank you to Kak Mariyam, this activity truly aligns with the strength of religion; every religion teaches respect, appreciation, and seeking blessings, and the Scouts have set an example,” he stated. The mayor announced that the city government is preparing a campsite in the Jeruk area of Lakarsantri District, which can be used to better support future Scout activities in Surabaya. “We have already prepared it in Jeruk, Lakarsantri. God willing, once it is finished, we can hold events there,” he said. Siti Mariyam, the Daily Chairperson of the Surabaya City Scout Council, explained that the record-breaking events were held at various locations across Surabaya, including the GBT Stadium, the Tugu Pahlawan monument, PGRI Adi Buana University Surabaya, SMK Negeri 5 Surabaya, Kebun Bibit park, and several schools. “The central location is here at the GBT Stadium,” said Mariyam. She explained that the aim of the activities was to boost enthusiasm and attract young people in Surabaya to join the Scouts, as some students have been reluctant to participate because they perceive the education as monotonous. “This activity stemmed from concern because the Scouts have been losing popularity. When children reach the Penegak level in senior high school, they are instructed to wear the Scout uniform, but the love for scouting is not in their hearts because they consider the education monotonous,” she said.