East Seram Traditional House and Old Fort in the Ministry of Culture

JAKARTA - The revitalization of traditional houses and the handling of historic fortresses in East Seram are discussed in a meeting between East Seram Regent Fachri Husni Alkatiri and Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in Jakarta, Thursday, April 16.

The areas discussed include Seram Island and dozens of other small islands in Maluku, with a population of around 150 thousand people. In the area, traditional houses and old fortresses are scattered in many places, while the need for preservation is not small.

During the meeting, Fachri said that cultural preservation in his area, among others, was carried out through the construction and revitalization of traditional houses which became the identity of each adat country. He explained that the traditional houses in the region are generally made of wood and have their own characteristics.

Apart from traditional houses, attention is also directed to a number of cultural heritages in the form of fortresses whose conditions need to be addressed. One of them is called Geser Fort.

"We encourage the revitalization of traditional houses and the handling of this historic fortress to be part of the support of the central government, especially the Ministry of Culture," said Fachri.

In response to this, Fadli Zon said the government has a number of funding instruments that can be utilized, including through the Indonesia Raya Fund which is open to communities and indigenous people.

"The Indonesia Raya Fund scheme can be used to support initiatives that come from the community or indigenous community," said the Minister of Culture.

The meeting was also attended by the Head of the Culture, Youth, and Sports Division of East Seram Regency, Jufri Rumwokas, Chairman of the East Seram Cultural Heritage Team Saidin Ernas, and Deputy Chairman of the East Seram Chamber of Commerce Alwi Kotarumalos. He was accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Legal and Cultural Policy Expert Staff Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri, Inter-Institutional Relations Expert Staff Ismunandar, and Secretary of the Directorate General of Cultural and Traditional Protection Lita Rahmiati.