JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said culture as "infrastructure of meaning" which supports politics - determining values, identities, and even the legitimacy of power - in a scientific oration entitled Mega-Diversity Culture Politics: Indonesia as the Center of World Civilization. The oration was delivered in an open session of the National University (Unas) senate, Wednesday (11/2/2026), in conjunction with the award of the Honorary Professor title in the field of Politics and Culture to him.
In his speech, Fadli emphasized Indonesia's diversity - ethnicity, language, religion, culture, and history - is not just a demographic fact. "The common thread of this thinking confirms that culture is an infrastructure of meaning that supports politics, determines values, identity, and the legitimacy of power," said Fadli.
He said the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as the basis for unity without uniformity. "Indonesian unity is not the result of uniformity of identity, but is born from a collective awareness to live together in one inclusive national community," he said.
Fadli also cited the "Korean Wave" and the dominance of Hollywood narratives as evidence of the influence of culture in shaping the image, expanding influence, and strengthening the economic-diplomatic position of the country. "Contemporary global practices such as the Korean Wave and the dominance of Hollywood narratives show that cultural power is able to shape a positive image, expand influence, and strengthen the economic and diplomatic position of the country sustainably," he said. He assessed the role of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia as an important "orchestrator" for the advancement of national culture.
Rector of Unas El Amry Bermawi Putera said the honorary title was given because the campus saw the alignment of Fadli's thoughts and contributions with the ideas of Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana (STA), one of the founders of Unas. "Unas sees a strong alignment with Fadli Zon's struggle," said El Amry in his speech. He also assessed that the decision was an objective academic recognition, as well as touching Fadli's contributions to cultural diplomacy, historical-literary preservation, scientific activities, to the establishment of museums and cultural houses as well as the issue of repatriation of artifacts.
After the event, Fadli assessed that the title encouraged him to remain rooted in the intellectual world, especially politics and culture. "For me, this encourages me to remain rooted in the intellectual world and also especially in the field of politics and culture," he said.
The open hearing was attended by a number of officials, including MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani, Minister of Food and Agriculture Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Education and Culture Imipas Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Enik Ermawati, and Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha. There were also ambassadors, a number of officials at levels I and II of the Ministry of Culture, and other invited guests.
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