Holiday Ayo - PT Wijaya Karya Gedung and Nindya Karya, KSO sent home rain charmer Rara Istiati Wulandari alias Mbak Rara after her action at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium in Banda Aceh went viral and received a negative response from the people of Aceh. 

Initially on social media, a viral video circulated showing rain handler Rara Istiani Wulandari alias Mbak Rara working to 'control the rain' at Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh. 

In the video, Mbak Rara can be seen walking on the edge of the stadium with her head tilted upwards while performing a ritual to ward off the rain. 

He brought the tools he usually used when working as a rain charmer. A man followed him from behind. Several people seemed to see Rara in action from the stands. 

The video started circulating widely on Tuesday (27/8). The Executive Board (PB) of PON XXI 2024 Aceh Region admitted that they had never brought Rara to Tanah Rencong. 

Rara's involvement was also said to be inconsistent with Islamic law implemented in the Veranda of Makkah. 

“We never invited or brought in rain charmers and did not know about the presence of rain charmers. PB PON Aceh agrees with the community who regret that this happened," said the Head of PB PON Ceremonies for the Aceh region, Akkar Arafat. 

Acting Governor of Aceh Safrizal ZA then intervened. He summoned representatives of PT Wijaya Karya Gedung (Persero) Tbk and PT Nindya Karya (Persero) who are responsible for the project at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium in Banda Aceh. 

During the meeting, the company admitted that they were the ones who brought in the rain handler Mbak Rara based on the project workers' initiative to anticipate rain that could disrupt construction work at the stadium. 

The involvement of rain charmer Mbak Rara was assessed without considering the sensitivity of the Acehnese people who highly uphold Islamic values and local culture. 

The involvement of rain charmers is considered to be contrary to Islamic law and Acehnese culture. 

“Aceh is a region that strongly maintains Islamic values, any activities that conflict with these values must be stopped," stressed Safrizal. 

Safrizal then asked the two companies to immediately clarify the incident and apologize to the public. Meanwhile, Mbak Rara was asked to immediately return home from Aceh. 

“The company immediately sent Rara home via Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Blang Bintang on a flight this afternoon," said Safrizal in his statement.