Becoming The Fourth City, This Is The Result Of A Public Discussion On The Draft History Book In Makassar

Historical discussion (Doc.Kemenbud)

JAKARTA, Makassar State University (UNM) hosted the fourth public discussion of the Indonesian History Book draft initiated by the Ministry of Culture. This forum is part of a series of discussions that began in July 2025, previously held at UI, ULM Banjarmasin, and UNP Padang.

The discussion took place at the UNM Pinisi Tower Ballroom, Monday, August 4, presenting major editors and volume editors who explained the direction, approach, and grand vision of national historical writing. They opened up space for community participation to contribute ideas to the new narrative of Indonesian history.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon called the preparation of this history a strategic step in responding to the challenges of the times. "We want to present a more contextual and relevant historical narrative, especially for the younger generation amid the threat of social disintegration and political polarization," he stressed.

This book was written by professional historians from various fields, with a reflective academic approach. This is not just a documentation project, but instruments to revive collective awareness towards Indonesia 80 years of independence," he continued.

Director of History and Summary, Agus Mulyana, emphasized the importance of public discussion as a forum for aspirations. "We need concrete and honest advice from the public so that the final results of objective and participatory writing," he said.

Prof. Karta Jayadi, the Chancellor of UNM, welcomed the involvement of his campus. History is an open space. The presence of the Ministry of Culture here is an important marker of our historical journey," he said.

In the discussion session, Prof. Susanto Zuhdi emphasized the importance of building a conceptual framework of national history that is relevant to today. While Prof. Singgih added that this book presents updates in terms of methodology, facts, and the paradigm of thinking history.

The discussion was attended by participants from academics, culturalists, students, and communities. Community leaders such as teachers from West Sulawesi, Muhammad Idris, proposed that this book be used as official teaching material. Arif Sigit, a Makassar culturalist, asked for a public aspiration channel outside the forum.

Answering that, Prof. Zuhdi emphasized that even though it is limited, local history will still be written in parallel. He also emphasized full independence in the writing process.

Closing the event, Agus Mulyana conveyed the ministry's commitment to continue writing and publishing further volumes. Our target is that in the next five years there will be more volumes that will be published and enrich the nation's historical narrative.