The mermaid statues have been in the park for 15 years
The bare-chested mermaids have stood in Ancol Dreamland park in Jakarta for the last 15 years, so the decision to cover them has astonished many. Some speculated that the park administration had succumbed to pressure from external forces. But the park managers explained that they decided to cover the statues' chests a year ago.
"This is a management decision, there was no external pressure," said Rika Lestari, a park representative, to BBC. "We are in the process of rebranding as a family amusement park," she added.
The sculptor, Dolorosa Sinaga, told the Indonesian service of the BBC that the park administration has deprived visitors of the opportunity to admire the beauty of art. "They have simply blocked the public's access to art," she said.
Park visitors are also puzzled. "The statues didn't bother us. It's strange to see art being covered up like this," said Nanda Julinda, who came to the park with her children.
In the past, the statues have repeatedly caused discontent among conservative audiences. In 2016, during a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Rome, the Capitoline Museums covered "nude" ancient statues. Iranians on social media ironically thanked Italy for "saving Islam." And last year, a man in India was jailed for writing satirical tweets about temple statues. He was later acquitted.