Minister Of Culture Fadli Zon Supports Strengthening Tourism And New Culture, Encourages National Museums And Cultural Heritage

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon when receiving a visit from the Sorkam Community Development Foundation (Yapemas). (ist)

JAKARTA - We all strongly support the efforts of the community to advance culture in Central Tapanuli. The Bongal site, for example, is an important finding that needs to be researched. We can do many things together in the future, "said Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon when receiving a visit from the Sorkam Community Development Foundation (Yapemas) at the Ministry of Culture office, Jakarta, Friday, September 19.

This visit discussed strengthening the tourism and cultural sectors in Barus, North Sumatra, the important center of history and civilization of the archipelago. Ikhwan Mansyur Situmeang from the Gaberna Tapteng DPP Sibolga highlighted the follow-up to the determination of the Zero Point Monument for Islamic Civilization in Barus which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo in 2017, as well as the development of Barus as a complementary religious tourism destination for Lake Toba.

Yapemas also emphasized the importance of determining the tomb complex with the Governor's Decree and the Regent to become a national Cultural Heritage. In addition, the foundation asked for support for the completion of the construction and management of the Grand Barus Museum which stores around 60 thousand artifacts but requires the attention of the central government. The Pasisi traditional house, especially the King's House of Sorkam Taram, the only traditional Pasisi house that is still maintained is also a priority for the study of the Cultural Heritage Expert Team.

Menbud Fadli responded positively to all proposals. He emphasized that the management of the museum can be carried out directly by the Ministry of Culture together with the Cultural Preservation Center, as has been applied to the Tiger Cave Museum in South Sumatra, Maritime Museum in Belitung, and PDRI Museum in West Sumatra. "Yes, it can coordinate with local governments, and if it is handed over to us, of course we will follow up as we have several other museums that we have managed," he said.

Menbud Fadli also supports increasing Barus' status as a religious tourism area by emphasizing that tourism must be in line with cultural conservation.

The meeting itself was attended by the leadership of Yapemas and community leaders, including representatives of STAI Barus, the Advanced Tapian Nauli Foundation, PKKB SSAP RB, the Grand Barus Museum Foundation, HIKMA Barus throughout Jabodetabek, Sibolga'Tapteng FKK, and the Deputy Chairperson of Yapemas. Accompanying Menbud Fadli, Expert Staff to the Minister of Law and Culture Policy Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani, Special Staff to the Minister for Cultural Diplomacy Annisa Rengganis, and Director of Cultural Heritage I Made Dharma Suteja.

Menbud Fadli hopes that this meeting will open concrete cooperation steps in advancing the culture of Central Tapanuli, especially Barus.