Bipang Goes Viral

The Palace spokesman even twisted the true meaning of bipang as a food ingredient that came from pigs. He said it's made of rice. It's a mess.

There was something else going on a couple of weeks ago. It’s all about the gratuitous excitement about the food. A lovely Indonesian food. This food attracts huge attention since the explanation is less communicative. Unfortunately, this exposure came from the circle of the Presidential Palace, from the spokesman for the Presidential Palace, Fadjroel Rachman.

Then, what is the name of the local food? Its name is bipang aka roasted pork. A slice of pork that is processed by roasting. Those who have enjoyed it surely know how delicious the roast pork tastes. Incredibly delicious.

What is the explanation for this bipang? The palace spokesman even twisted the true meaning of bipang as a food ingredient that came from pigs. The spokesman even called the bipang with bepang and jipang and said this food ingredient is made of rice. It's a mess.

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What is meant bipang by the main speaker was roast pork, not rice. President Joko Widodo pronounced it clearly with correct articulation. The President mentioned bipang in a speech welcoming Eid Al Mubarak which coincided with the Ascension service of Jesus Christ (Isa Al-Masih) on May 13, 2021.

Mr Jokowi’s goal was to promote various types of regional specialities, including Gudeg Jogja, Banten Semarang, Siomay Bandung, Pempek Palembang and what is currently viral: bipang aka Ambawang grilled pork from West Kalimantan. The following is the official link to President Jokowi’s speech. 

It was an ordinary speech. However, as a political figure, of course, every move, behaviour and speech of a President continues to be in the spotlight of the opposition. Until then, it's legal.

This caused an uproar because it was the Palace itself who twisted the word bipang into a completely different object. He intended to protect the President, but it turned out to be the opposite. The bipang the President meant was roast pork, nothing else.

The president promoted various Indonesian foods, including bipang, through online service applications to drive the economy during these hard times. For the second time, at the Lebaran holiday, the government has decided to cancel going home for Muslims who want to celebrate it in their village for the sake of mutual health to prevent massive transmission of the Corona-19 virus.

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As the work of the Ministry of Trade, Minister M. Luthfi also provided a video clarification regarding the unnecessary polemic. As President Jokowi does not encourage Muslims to eat bipang. He is a good Muslim. Conversely, he recommended it for the non-Muslim community. At this point, it is correct that the President should firmly stand above all groups. Here’s the related video link. 

Speaking of bipang or roasted pork, in the area where I live, there are two very well-known types, the first being Karo roast pork or often abbreviated as BPK(babi panggang Karo) and Toba roast pork. Both have similarities and differences. But certainly, both are worth a try. Nonetheless, just to remind that they are non-Muslims only food.

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In addition, there is also a rice-based archipelago food in the Toba community called Tipa-tipa. Yes, it does not sound the same. The resemblance is in the basic ingredient, namely rice. It tastes good too.

Hmm, how rich my beloved country Indonesia Raya is. Progress, prosper and develop the people and nation. God blessed!

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