JAKARTA - Preservation of culture and history is an important foundation in maintaining the identity of the Indonesian nation. The wealth of the cultural heritage of the archipelago is not only a reflection of the nation's long history, but also as a force to build social harmony and strengthen national identity.
Through conservation efforts, noble values of the previous generation can continue to be passed on to future generations.
In this spirit, the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon made an official visit to the Kadriah Palace, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, as part of the government's commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The Kadriah Palace, which was established in 1771 at Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie's initiative, is one of the national cultural heritages that has high historical value.
In his speech, Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of keeping historical sites as a form of respect for ancestral heritage. He even compared the older age of Kadriah Palace to the establishment of the United States in 1776. "This is proof that the archipelago has a long historical footprint that is no less important in the world arena," said Fadli Zon during his visit, Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Fadli Zon also gave his appreciation to Sultan Syarif Hamid II, the seventh Sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate, who contributed to designing the symbol of the Indonesian state, Garuda Pancasila. He encouraged Sultan Hamid II's services to be officially recognized as a national hero. His contribution is very large in the history of this nation and we should respect it," he said.
Pontianak, continued Fadli, is a real example of cultural acculturation in Indonesia. This city has become a meeting place for various ethnicities such as Malay, Arabic, Dayak, Chinese, and others, which form diversity in art, architecture, and culinary. This diversity is a force that must be preserved and preserved," he said.
Fadli Zon also raised the philosophy of Huma Betang, local wisdom of the Dayak people who teach the values of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and tolerance. This value is considered to be in line with the spirit of unity in diversity which is the foundation of the Indonesian nation.
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Currently, West Kalimantan has a national cultural heritage, namely the Kadriah Palace, but Fadli encourages more historic sites in this province to receive similar status. He revealed that there are six provincial-level cultural heritages that have the potential to be appointed as national cultural heritage.
Apart from physical cultural heritage, West Kalimantan is also rich in intangible cultural heritage, with around 80 traditions that include performing arts, customs, and handicrafts.
Fadli emphasized the importance of documenting and preserving the cultural wealth. "This unobjected cultural heritage is an important part of local identity that must be maintained," he said.
As a form of government commitment, the Ministry of Culture will continue to strengthen efforts to protect, develop and utilize culture according to the mandate of the 1945 Constitution Article 32 Paragraph 1. Fadli also emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy as a soft power to introduce Indonesia's cultural wealth to the world. He hopes that Indonesia can follow in the footsteps of countries like South Korea in lifting culture through popular media.
The Minister of Culture is also committed to supporting the revitalization of the Kadriah Palace to become the center of art and culture in West Kalimantan. He invites the younger generation to be actively involved in cultural preservation. From this place, we hope that millennial and Gen Z generation creative works will be born which bring the spirit of local culture to the national and international stage," he said.
During this visit, Fadli Zon met with Sultan Mervin Syarif Alkadrie and Maharatu Suri Tanaya Ahmad, and was accompanied by a member of Commission V DPR RI, Yuliansyah. This visit is an important momentum to strengthen joint commitment in maintaining and promoting the rich culture of the archipelago.
With the support of society and the government, the preservation of cultural heritage is expected to continue to develop and become the strength of the Indonesian nation in facing the challenges of globalization.
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