JAKARTA - In order to preserve the cultural wealth of the archipelago, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, made a working visit to West Kalimantan Province.
This visit is a tangible manifestation of the government's commitment to maintaining cultural heritage while at the same time encouraging the development of museums as educational tourist destinations.
During his visit, Fadli Zon attended a meeting at the XII Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), Pontianak, together with the Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan Krisantus Kurniawan, Chairman of BPK XII Juliadi, Head of the Education and Culture Service Rita Hastarita, as well as representatives of the cultural community, artists, and indigenous peoples. This discussion focuses on strengthening synergy between the central and regional governments in preserving local culture and utilizing cultural potential for the welfare of the community.
"The Ministry of Culture is committed to advancing culture through a collaborative approach. We support the cultural community and art actors in maintaining national identity through interaction spaces such as cultural parks and museums," said Fadli Zon.
West Kalimantan is known to have rich cultural diversity, ranging from customs, traditional arts, to historical sites. Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting this wealth to be better known, both at the national and international levels.
One of the locations visited was the Equatorial Monument, an icon of Pontianak City which has important historical and geographical values. Built in 1928 with Borneo wood or iron material, this monument became a symbol of Pontianak's geographical position on the equator.
Fadli Zon expressed his support for proposing the Equatorial Monument as a National Cultural Heritage to increase tourist attraction and strengthen local identity.
In addition, Fadli Zon visited the West Kalimantan Provincial Museum which holds more than 6,000 cultural collections from various ethnicities such as Malay, Dayak, and Chinese. The museum displays collections ranging from prehistoric fossil replicas to cultural artifacts of the Dayak tribe and ceramics produced by cultural acculturation.
Museum is not only a place to store history, but also a medium of education and reflection of civilization. In this digital era, museums need to take advantage of technology to attract the younger generation and expand the reach of education," said Fadli Zon.
He also encouraged local governments to maximize the role of museums as cultural centers and tourist attractions. With proper management, museums can become creative spaces and regional sources of income.
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Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan, Krisantus Kurniawan, welcomed this support and emphasized the local government's commitment to maintaining and developing the cultural potential of West Kalimantan.
Cultivation is a priceless asset. With a strong collaboration between the central government, the region and the cultural community, we can advance the tourism sector while preserving local identity," Krisantus said.
Currently, the Ministry of Culture manages 20 museums and 34 cultural heritages throughout Indonesia. However, its utilization is still not optimal. Therefore, Fadli Zon invites all parties to actively develop museum-based programs, such as thematic exhibitions and cultural discussions, as well as utilizing digital technology in cultural conservation.
This visit is expected to be the first step in strengthening the preservation of culture in West Kalimantan, making the museum a center for education and tourist destinations, and increasing public awareness of the importance of maintaining the nation's cultural heritage.
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