Fadli Zon: Culture Must Be A Machine For National Growth

BANDUNG - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that culture must be an engine of growth for the Indonesian nation.

This was conveyed while attending the Bakti Negeri for Arts and Culture Actors' activity at the Sate Building Court, Bandung, West Java, Friday, November 7, which was attended by more than a thousand art and cultural actors from various regions.

Fadli said that cultural promotion is a constitutional mandate as stated in Article 32 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution.

"The state advances Indonesia's national culture in the midst of world civilization by ensuring the community in maintaining and developing its cultural values. This is not only the task of the central government, but also local governments, business worlds, and cultural fighters throughout Indonesia," he said.

He explained that Indonesia has extraordinary cultural wealth: 1,340 ethnic groups and 718 regional languages representing about 10 percent of the world's language. Until now, there are 2,213 national Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb), with 16 of them recognized by UNESCO from Wayang, Keris, Batik, Angklung, to the latest Kolintang, Kebaya, and Reog Ponorogo. This year, the government will also determine an additional 550 new WBTb, including 60 elements from West Java.

"Indonesia's cultural wealth has nothing to do with it in the world. Therefore, I call it not only diversity, but megadiversity," he said.

According to Fadli, culture must become a new economic force, as has been done by many countries.

"We have to make national culture the engine of growth and driver of growth. Culture is a force that can drive the nation's economy," said Fadli.

He explained that the Ministry of Culture continues to strengthen various programs such as National Talent Management, Learning with Maestros, School-Entrance Artists Movement, and Indonesian Funds.

This year, the Indonesianna Fund has been distributed to more than 2,800 cultural arts communities with a total budget of around Rp465 billion, and West Java is the largest recipient.

"We really appreciate the artists, culturalists, including those with disabilities who have shown extraordinary dedication. Cross-ministerial and institutional synergies must continue to be strengthened to realize national cultural progress," said Fadli Zon.

This event was also filled with joint gymnastics, free health services, local food exhibitions, to the cultural expression stage. Also present were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, BPJS Manpower Director Pramudya Iriawan Buntoro, BPJS Health Director Ali Ghufron Mukti, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health.