Minister of Culture Activates M Sjafe'i Museum, INS Kayutanam is Ready to Become a Center for Educational Heritage

PADANG PARIAMAN - Culture Minister Fadli Zon inaugurated the activation of the M. Sjafe'i Museum in the INS Kayutanam area, West Sumatra, Friday, January 23. This step marks the government's effort to revive the educational legacy of national figure Ungku Muhammad Sjafe'i, not just taking care of historical buildings.

Fadli emphasized that this museum is directed to be a space of ideas, not a place of nostalgia. According to him, Sjafe'i's thinking must be brought into the current context, especially for the younger generation. He assessed that the current educational challenge requires references to values, characters, and the spirit of renewal that have emerged from INS Kayutanam.

INS Kayutanam was established in 1926 and will enter a century in October 2026. This institution is said to be parallel to other education pioneers in West Sumatra such as Adabiah, Sumatra Thawalib, and Diniyah Putri. Fadli highlighted this historical fact as a strong evidence of the region's intellectual tradition in shaping national consciousness long before independence.

He also emphasized that education and culture cannot be separated. Culture, he said, is the foundation of the nation's character and competitiveness. Sjafe'i's legacy and the INS alumni network are considered to play a role in the formation of modern national thinking.

The Ministry of Culture through the Directorate of Facilities and Infrastructure also supports the strengthening of INS Kayutanam. The M Sjafe'i Museum is encouraged to develop as a center for documenting ideas, works, and thoughts, and is prepared to enter international recognition schemes such as the UNESCO memory of the world.

The inauguration was attended by the Regent of Padang Pariaman John Kenedy Azis, Secretary of State for West Sumatra Arry Yuswandi, academic Fasli Jalal, writer Taufik Ismail, and museum foundation managers.

Fadli hopes that the INS Kayutanam area will develop into a creative cultural pocket and an education center. The 100-year momentum is considered crucial to ensure that Sjafe'i's legacy remains alive and relevant.