Mual Jabi-Jabi site has potential to become historical tourist site

Balige, N.Sumatra, June 11 (Antara) - The cultural site of Mual Jabi-Jabi, located in Balige City, Tobasa District, North Sumatra Province, has the potential to become a historical tourist site, Toba Samosir Cultural Observer Tengku Idris Pardede stated here, Thursday. "The development of this historical site will encourage the other economic sectors," he noted. Mual Jabi-Jabi was the place where Ompu Pulo Batu Sinambela was inaugurated to become the 12th King of Sisingamangaraja in 1864. Pardede explained that Mual Jabi-Jabi is a well containing a clear water spring, which has often been used for sacred baths, locally named maranggir, since the time of the ancient kings. The body of the national hero the 12th King of Sisingamangaraja, who died in the war against the Dutch colonists under the command of Captain Christoffel in 1907, was bathed in this well before his body was buried in Tarutung, North Tapanuli District, and was moved to Soposurung Balige. According to Pardede, the historic place has immense potential to be developed into a tourist attraction of special interest, as it is located on the edge of Lake Toba. He believes that Mual Jabi-Jabi will attract local and foreign tourists, especially scientists who study history. Meanwhile, Head of the Culture and Tourism Office of Tobasa Ultri Simangungsong remarked that the office continues to promote nature and culture-based tourism sectors to attract tourists to the location. The office promotes the culture-based tourist site by preserving the natural resources without affecting the natural environment. According to Simangungsong, if the culture-based tourism industry, which lays emphasis on maintaining environmental balance, is well developed, then the other sectors will also simultaneously be preserved. "As the region has a typical Batak Toba culture, the local administration will strengthen the tourism sector by promoting the potential of local customs and wisdom," Simangungsong added.