Determination Of National Cultural Day October 17 Is Just An Effort To Fun Superiors, Nothing More

The performance of the Ireng Mask dance at the Five Mount XXIV/2025 Festival at the Padepokan Tjipta Boedaja Closed Ngisir complex, Sumber Village, Dukun District, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Saturday (12/7/2025). (ANTARA/Athmoko Day)

JAKARTA - The determination of October 17 as National Cultural Day (HKN) sparked reactions among the public. The public also wondered, is this really part of a cultural-based national development strategy or just symbolic politics?

It was the Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon who set the HKN to fall on October 17, but was not included in the national holiday. This decision is written in the Decree of the Minister of Culture Number 162/M/2025 which was issued on July 7, 2025 and comes into effect from the date set.

This decision clearly caused criticism among the public. However, Fadli Zon did not budge.

According to him, the stipulation of October 17 as HKN was not without reason. That was because on October 17, 1951, it was the day when Indonesia's first President Sukarno and Prime Minister Sukiman signed Government Regulation Number 66 of 1951.

This PP is the basis for the stipulation of the Indonesian State Symbol, Garuda Pancasila, with the motto Bhinneka Tungal Ika as part of the integral of the nation's identity.

"Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is not just a motto, but the philosophy of life of the Indonesian nation which reflects the richness of culture, tolerance, and unity in diversity," said Fadli Zon in a written statement on Monday (14/7/2025).

This proposal, according to Fadli Zon, originated among Yogyakarta artists and cultural observers consisting of traditional and contemporary maestros. The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Culture after several in-depth discussions.

Launching the official social media page of the Yogyakarta DPD, the cultural observers proposed the determination of National Cultural Day on the grounds of its importance of managing and internalizing Indonesia's cultural diversity for the progress of the nation.

"This proposal is expected to increase national awareness and strengthen Indonesia's cultural diplomacy at the global level," said a statement in Instagram upload @dpdjogja, May 28, 2025.

Public policy observer from Trisakti University Trubus Rahadiansyah said the determination of national days, including Cultural Day by the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, should involve the public. He also questioned the absence of a public consultation process in determining the HKN date.

"Determination of a national day like that should be public involvement, so there must be consultations with the public first. It cannot be implemented," Trubus said when contacted by VOI.

"So I don't think the formulation is appropriate, because it doesn't follow the procedure," added Trubus.

Furthermore, Trubus also questioned Fadli Zon's urgency to determine National Cultural Day. According to him, this Gerindra politician was unable to explain the basic reasons arguments.

"So what is the urgency for? He doesn't have an answer that can be accounted for. Indeed, this determination should be carried out through scientific studies, involving experts, this is not done," he said.

"If you look at it, it is merely political. So there is no national interest, more in the interests of the group," Trubus added.

Contacted separately, the Executive Director of the Voxpol Center Research and Consulting, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, admitted that he was not surprised by Menbud Fadli Zon's decision to set National Cultural Day on October 17, to coincide with President Prabowo Subianto's birthday.

From a political perspective, Pangi considers this to be Menbud Fadli Zon's way of pleasing President Prabowo as his superior.

"Minister of Culture wants to have legislation. Want to be remembered, it's not a coincidence that cultural day is set on the same day as President Prabowo's birthday," Pangi said via text message.

"Politition must be so, able to please the boss, the language now speaks power. This is a model of how to rule and defend. Able and have a sense of politics how to please the source of power," he said.

Similarly, senior artist Butet Kartaredjasa also criticized Menbud Fadli Zon. According to him, the decision only led to bad speculation among the public.

"There is absolutely no urgency, except to become an object for sabers. That's all. There are many things that are more important and more urgent to think about and make policies," Butet said.

Even if Cultural Day is important to exist, according to Butet, the determination must be taken in a proper process. The government should conduct an in-depth study, involve artists and cultural observers from various regions, as well as choose a day that has an important history in Indonesian culture.

Taking a decision based on the proposal of a small group without considering other groups actually shows that there are certain interests.

"Everyone may propose, but if there is only one small group proposing and then it is approved, it is very visible that today's choice is to sniff," explained Butet.

"Moreover, it is the same as Prabowo's (born), what is the relation?" he said.