Surabaya Scouts Achieve Three MURI Records for Largest Participation
The Surabaya Scout movement in East Java has achieved three simultaneous Indonesian Museum Records (MURI) at the Gelora Bung Tomo (GBT) Stadium in Surabaya, for the largest number of participants in activities including Washing Parents’ Feet, Garuda Inauguration, and Semaphore Demonstrations.
Speaking in Surabaya on Saturday, the Mayor of Surabaya and Chairman of the Surabaya Scout Branch Advisory Board (Kamabicab), Eri Cahyadi, stated that the Garuda Inauguration involved 65,000 participants from the Siaga, Penggalang, Penegak, and Pandega levels. Meanwhile, the Washing Parents’ Feet activity saw 130,000 participants, and the Semaphore Demonstration involved 41,337 participants.
He noted that following this event, the Surabaya City Government will collaborate with the Scouts to activate ‘Pancasila Villages’. “The Scouts will be a part of this, so what I read during the inauguration embodies the spirit of Pancasila. This can serve as a way to instil these values from an early age before they reach adulthood,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for the MURI record for Washing Parents’ Feet, noting that the activity serves as a reminder for children to always respect their parents. “Because the pleasure of God is found in the pleasure of one’s parents. Thank you to Kak Mariyam; this activity truly aligns with religious values, as all religions teach respect and seeking parental blessings, and the Scouts are providing an example,” he added.
Furthermore, he announced that the City Government will prepare a campsite in Surabaya to support future Scout activities. “We have prepared a site in Jeruk, Lakarsantri District. God willing, once it is completed, we can hold events there.”
Siti Mariyam, the Daily Chairperson of the Surabaya Scout Branch, explained that the MURI record-breaking activities were held at various locations across Surabaya, including GBT Stadium, the Heroes Monument, PGRI Adi Buana University, SMK Negeri 5 Surabaya, Kebun Bibit, and various schools, with the stadium serving as the central hub.
Mariyam explained that the objective of the event was to boost enthusiasm and attract the interest of young people in Surabaya to join the Scouts. She noted that some students had previously been reluctant to participate because they perceived Scout activities as monotonous.
“This initiative began from a concern regarding the declining interest in Scouting. While students in senior high school are instructed to wear Scout uniforms, they may lack a true passion for Scouting because the education is perceived as monotonous,” she said.