Fadli Zon Reveals 743 National Cultural Heritage, Museums Become New Focus

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon explained a number of programs to accelerate the advancement of culture, ranging from the establishment of national cultural heritage, strengthening museums, supporting films and music, to cultural diplomacy.

This was conveyed by Fadli in a discussion of cultural development with the media at the Ministry of Culture's office, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 5.

Fadli said the Ministry of Culture continues to encourage the protection of traditions, development, utilization, training, diplomacy, and promotion of culture in accordance with the mandate of the Cultural Development Law.

"We pursue all efforts for more accelerated cultural advancement, both in the protection of culture and tradition, development, utilization, and training, to diplomacy and promotion in accordance with the mandate of the law," said Fadli.

One of the achievements delivered was the establishment of the National Cultural Heritage or CBN. According to Fadli, the number of CBNs now reaches 743. This figure is up from less than 228 before the Ministry of Culture stood as a separate institution.

The Ministry of Culture also encourages museums to be closer to the community. One of them is through the Museum Passport which has sold 20,000 books and is said to have received an enthusiastic response from Generation Z.

Museum strengthening is also carried out through the utilization of assets. The Ministry of Education and Culture is preparing a Film Museum in Old Town, a Photography Museum in Semarang, and a plan for a Music Museum in Bandung.

The Film Museum will showcase the journey of Indonesian films from time to time. The Music Museum is prepared to introduce the history of Indonesian music and strengthen appreciation for national cultural works.

According to Fadli, the strengthening of museums goes hand in hand with the development of national film and music.

"We also have good capital in film and music. Our film has become a host in our own country with 67 percent market share. This year there are about 15 Indonesian films that are box office," said Fadli.

He added that around 80 percent of Indonesian people listen to Indonesian music.

The Ministry of Education also supports literature and fine arts through festivals and the participation of Indonesian artists in international forums. One of them is the participation of seven artists in the Venice Biennale residency program.

Domestically, the Ministry of Education is processing the recipients of the Indonesia Raya Fund. Until 2026, more than 15 thousand proposals have entered for the program with a budget of Rp. 360 billion.

The funds will be selected according to criteria. This program is intended for communities, cultural centers, and activists in various regions, including the lagging, leading, and outermost regions or 3T.

The Ministry of Education has also mapped nearly 200 buildings to be revitalized. The buildings include museums, palaces, and palaces in various regions.

Fadli said this step followed President Prabowo Subianto's direction regarding the importance of history and culture in the development of Indonesia.

He also encouraged local governments to be more serious about taking care of museums and cultural parks. Fadli appreciated North Sulawesi which has allocated the APBD for the revitalization of the provincial museum.

According to him, the support of the local government is needed so that the Special Allocation Fund or DAK of the Ministry of Culture can be optimally utilized.

The Ministry of Culture also strengthens oral traditions through the Indonesia Bercerita program. This program uses folklore to introduce cultural values to children and maintain the tradition of storytelling.

Ahead of Indonesia's 81 years of independence, the Ministry of Education and Culture strengthened the introduction of history through the revitalization of the Museum of the Formulation of the Proclamation Text.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has also prepared a competition for the production of a narrative film about the heroes of the struggle to defend independence in the period 1945-1950. The program includes feature films and short films, with the assistance of historians, academics, and film practitioners.

In addition, the Ministry of Education works with a number of national television stations to make historical documentaries.

Fadli also touched on Indonesia's historical footprint in Suriname and Cape Town, South Africa. One of them is related to Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari, an Indonesian National Hero who has an important position in South African history.

The Ministry of Education is planning to build a museum and cultural center around the tomb of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari in Cape Town. The cultural center is prepared to introduce Indonesian history, culture, and language to the diaspora community.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the birth of Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari, the Ministry of Education together with the Ministry of Communication and Digital also prepared the issuance of commemorative stamps.

Attending the event were the Special Staff of the Minister of Culture for Media and Public Communication, M. Asrian Mirza; Head of the Public Relations and Public Information Bureau, Ridwan; and Head of the Cultural Media Center, Abu Chanifah.