Opening Serumpun Malay Cultural Week, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon Emphasizes the Importance of Promotion

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, opened the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week held in Pekanbaru as part of the 68th anniversary of Riau Province. In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the importance of this event as a momentum to promote culture internationally.

"I appreciate the Riau Provincial Government and all cultural practitioners involved in this event. Serumpun Malay Cultural Week, as a cultural preservation event, is expected to become a platform to promote Malay culture so that it is better known to the younger generation of Malays, the wider community, and even the world," said Minister Fadli.

Riau, the Minister continued, as the location of the event, is not just a region, but the heart of Malay civilization that has been beating for centuries. According to him, Riau was the birthplace of the Malay language, which later developed into the unifying language of the nation, Indonesian.

"The Serumpun Malay Cultural Week also serves as a platform for building cultural networks between countries and regions with Malay roots, from Sumatra to Kalimantan, from Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, from Singapore to Malay communities in Thailand and the Philippines. This is a meeting place that brings together the past, present, and future of Malay culture," he added.

The Serumpun Malay Cultural Week itself, which began on August 7, 2025, will conclude on August 10, 2025. This event features various exciting activities, including cultural exhibitions, traditional art performances, and an exhibition of Riau's leading MSMEs. Visitors to the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week will also be treated to an exhibition of the crown and personal collection of the Sultan of Siak Sri Indrapura, which was previously housed at the National Museum of Indonesia for over 80 years and is now being displayed again in his homeland, Riau.

The event, centered on Sultan Syarif Kasim Street, Pekanbaru, is held as a moment for the people of Riau to remember the glory of this province, which is rich in history and culture. This event is also expected to foster a love of culture among the younger generation as part of regional identity.

In his statement, Minister of Culture Fadli also conveyed that Indonesian culture is incredibly rich and diverse. He emphasized the need for its protection and preservation, as well as international promotion.

"One example is the Pacu Jalur tradition, which is currently in the international spotlight. The movement has gone viral and even attracted renowned international artists. This shows that we can promote our culture internationally and become part of global culture," he said.

Furthermore, before VIP guests and hundreds of attendees, the Minister of Culture announced plans to establish a Technical Implementation Unit for the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) in Riau Province. This BPK will focus on the protection, development, and utilization of cultural heritage and cultural advancement objects in the Riau region. Currently, Riau remains part of the BPK Region IV working area, with its office in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands.

Also delivering remarks, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid expressed his hope that the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week would serve as a platform for maintaining cultural unity, strengthening ties among the various ethnic groups, and passing them on to future generations.

"Hopefully, this event will showcase creativity, tourism, and culture, boosting the economy of Riau Province and its surrounding areas," said Abdul Wahid.

Erwita Dianti, Assistant Deputy for Domestic Tourism Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, echoed this sentiment. She expressed her appreciation for the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week. She hoped it would become a sustainable and competitive tourist destination.

"The Serumpun Malay Cultural Week aligns with one of the Ministry of Tourism's programs, Quick Win, which aims to make Indonesia a global event hub. We continue to encourage synergy between all parties in the region through the Clean Tourism Movement to create sustainable, inclusive, and competitive Indonesian tourist destinations," Erwita said.

The opening of the Serumpun Malay Cultural Performance was lively, featuring the Seri Melayu Dance as a welcome to the Minister of Culture and the invited guests. The opening ceremony was further enhanced by a 200-person group dance performance themed "The Treasures of Malay Cultural Wealth," a collaboration between the Riau Provincial Culture Office and the Riau Dance Forum. Iyeth Bustami, a renowned Indonesian dangdut and Malay actress and singer, also graced the opening ceremony.

Present at the opening were the Secretary General of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iqbal; Chairperson 1 of the Riau Province Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK), Hj. Adrias Hariyanto; Director General of Cultural and Tradition Protection, Restu Gunawan; Special Staff to the Minister for Protocol and Household Affairs, Rachmanda Primayuda; the Governors and Regional Secretaries of Riau Province at that time; the Regents and Mayors of Riau Province; the Heads of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) of Riau Province; the ranks of the Riau Province Forkopimda (Regional Leadership Communication Forum); traditional and community leaders; and the Arts and Culture Community of Riau Province and the surrounding areas.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister of Culture expressed his hope that the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week would serve as a momentum for unity and growth in culture.

"I believe this activity can serve as a platform for intercultural dialogue that enriches perspectives, strengthens brotherhood, and strengthens Serumpun Malay culture as a bridge between Indonesian culture and the world," concluded Minister Fadli.

He then continued with a ceremony of striking the Buluh Betung (Malay bamboo) using a Mayang Pinang (a pinang tree) to officially mark the opening of the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week. This symbolic opening ceremony was also attended by the Governor of Riau, Abdul Wahid; the Assistant Deputy for Domestic Tourism Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, Erwita Dianti; the Secretary General of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iqbal; and other VIP guests.

The Ministry of Culture is committed to continuing to support the preservation and development of Malay culture through various programs and cross-regional collaborations, including the Serumpun Malay Cultural Week. This event is part of a joint effort to promote Indonesian culture globally, strengthen ties between the various tribes, and instill a love of cultural heritage in the younger generation.