On Thursday, an official said Red Bull had publicly apologized for filming an ad featuring an athlete performing stunts at one in all Indonesia’s ancient sacred temples.
The energy drink maker has apologized in national newspapers, admitting it shot the video on the Ninth-century Borobudur temple “without permission from the relevant authorities.”
A video showing the famous “free-running” athlete jumping between the temple’s stone stupas has sparked outrage in Indonesia, where Borobudur is a revered Buddhist site and national icon.
In one scene, an athlete walks past an indication clearly stating a climbing ban in English and Indonesian, after which performs acrobatics inside a UNESCO heritage site.
The video was shot in secret regardless that the crew received a warning from temple guards, said Borobudur Protection Agency head Marsis Sutopo. “They should have fired again when our guards weren’t looking,” he said.
The video, which was posted online on March 18, sparked outrage in Indonesia and prompted the federal government to threaten a lawsuit against Red Bull.
Authorities later issued a warning to the beverage company after determining that no physical damage had occurred. Red Bull met with government officials in early June and agreed to publish an official apology in national newspapers.
“We wish to set an example because we’re scrupulously attempting to protect this historic site,” said education ministry official Hilmar Farid. “It was obvious because there was a ‘No Climbing’ sign there too.
Farid also added that Red Bull has been asked to make a brand new video explaining the importance of protecting sacred sites.
