MAKN 2025 Declaration: From Economy, Culture, To Sustainable Development

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The Royal Archipelago Customary Council (MAKN) is committed to uniting the kingdoms of the archipelago in maintaining customs as well as supporting national development. This is stated in the 2025 MAKN Declaration during the Inauguration of the Central Management Board (DPP), the Inauguration of the Advisory & Honorary Board, and the Intermediate Consultative Assembly (Musdya) IV MAKN 2025 at Ndayu Park, Sragen Regency, Central Java, 26-28 September 2025.

"This declaration is an important milestone in strengthening the role of the Nusantara kingdom in the development of the nation. MAKN is present not only to maintain customs, but also to become a strategic partner of the government in the fields of economic, cultural, and international diplomacy," said Chairman of MAKN, Kanjeng Panjeran Haryo (KPH) Eddy Wirabhumi SH, MM from Karaton Surakarta Hadiningrat on Sunday, September 28.

KPH Eddy conveyed that there were 11 main points in the declaration, among others, the establishment of the Nusantara Kingdom Council under the President of the Republic of Indonesia to optimize royal assets; strategic audience with the President and high state institutions related to asset legalization, customs, and culture; the establishment of Sovereign Archipelago Cooperatives as a forum for the economy based on local wisdom; revitalization of palaces/kings as a center of culture, tourism, and symbols of unity; digitization of archivals, scripts, and traditional heritage through the Nusantara Digital Data Center; to contributions to sustainable development (SDGs). KPH Eddy said the birth of the 2025 MAKN Declaration in Sragen marked the strong commitment of the archipelago to participate in building Indonesia.

"Not only focusing on preserving tradition, but MAKN also emphasized its contribution to the people's economy, cultural diplomacy, to the sustainable development agenda," said KPH Eddy.

Secretary General YM. Dra. Hj. MGAD. RA. Yani W Kuswodidjoyo Sumenep's kingdom said MAKN emphasized the importance of revitalizing palaces and royal infrastructure in order to remain the center of customs, culture, and tourism, as well as a symbol of unifying the nation. Yani said that MAKN also places Indonesian cultural diplomacy as Indonesia's strategic asset in the world, by encouraging festivals, exhibitions, and the exchange of national culture.

"Another step that is considered important is the digitization of traditional heritage, building a Nusantara digital data center as an effort to preserve knowledge, archives, scripts, and pedigrees for future generations," said Yani.

In line with that, the idea of the Archipelago Customary Leadership Academy was formed to give birth to a visionary young generation rooted in traditional values and national insight. Yani said MAKN also emphasized the need for a pentahelix-based strategic partnership, involving governments, the business world, academics, media, and communities.

"This synergy is believed to strengthen the role of customs and the kingdom in supporting national development," said Yani.

General Treasurer of MAKN YMH Andi Rukman Nurdin Karumpa from the Enrekang Kingdom said this declaration highlighted the importance of the presence of special institutions under President Prabowo which can be a forum for coordination, management, and optimization of royal assets for the benefit of the nation. From an economic perspective, Andi, the idea of a Sovereign Archipelago Cooperative was born which was expected to become a motor for the welfare of members in a fair and sustainable manner, without leaving local wisdom.

"No less important, this declaration also emphasizes full support for the arrangement of customary/adat land as part of legal certainty and national development," said Andi.

Andi conveyed that customs, culture, and local wisdom are not just past relics, but energy sources to go further. Andi said that the mandate that is present here is not a burden that is carried, but an honor to strengthen the unity and ignite the heritage of the archipelago.

"Hopefully from Sukowati's earth, this service will become a light that illuminates the long road of the archipelago towards dignity, progress and glory that we aspire to together," said Andi.