Minister Of Culture Fadli Zon Calls Regional Heads Must Be Cultural Leaders

JATINANGOR - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that regional heads are not only administrative leaders, but also cultural leaders. He conveyed this message in the Orientation of the Leadership of Regional Heads and Deputy Regional Heads of 2025 at the campus of the Institute of Domestic Administration (IPDN) Jatinangor, West Java, as quoted on Wednesday, June 25.

Regional leadership is also cultural leadership. Must have roots in local wisdom, but remain open to progress, "said Fadli Zon in front of the participants. He highlighted the importance of cultural values as a moral and spiritual foundation in the direction of national development.

According to him, culture cannot be placed as a ceremonial decoration. He must live in policy. Cultural submission is a collective work, not only the task of the central government. It needs collaboration with the regions, the private sector, and the whole community," he said.

Fadli Zon reminded that strengthening the nation's character is part of President Prabowo's 8th Asta Cita. He invited regional heads to unite their vision and build cross-regional synergies for a just and cultured Indonesia.

This moment was also used by Fadli to share his experiences when opening the Bali Arts Festival with Governor I Wayan Koster. He called the celebration a clear proof of cultural diversity that lived from the village to the province level. Diversity is not only in Bali. In Aceh, Papua, North Sumatra, Kalimantan, to Sulawesi, all have extraordinary cultural wealth," he said.

He reminded that Indonesia has 1,340 ethnic groups and 718 languages, about 10 percent of the language in the world. This is the strength of the nation that must be treated," he said.

In his presentation, Fadli also emphasized the importance of the role of museums in the regions. He hopes that local governments will no longer place museums in the back stage. Museum must be in front. He windows of civilization. Developed countries make museums the face of culture," said Fadli. He added that the Ministry of Culture is now actively training educators, curators, and conservators to strengthen the museum ecosystem.

He also encouraged each region to form a Cultural Council and draw up the Basic Thoughts of Regional Culture (PPKD) as mandated by Law no. 5 of 2017. Indeks on the promotion of culture can be an important indicator in regional development," he explained.

Not only that, he asked every local government to immediately form a Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB) in accordance with the mandate of Law no. 11 of 2010. "There are still many regions that do not have it. Even though this is important for systematic recording of cultural heritage. The Java and Sumatra regions are still the most active," said Fadli.

In this event, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights and Corrections Otto Hasibuan, and Deputy Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Lodewijk F. Paulus were also present.

Ending his presentation, Fadli Zon invited all regional heads to be at the forefront of the promotion of regional culture. "Treasure is not a burden, but a force. This is our soft energy as a nation. Let's take care, live it, and advance it," he concluded.