Minister of Education and Culture - Deputy Minister of Education and Culture Agree to Strengthen the Permanent Fund and the Cultural Financing Scheme

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and Wamenkeu Suahasil Nazarah agreed to strengthen the national cultural ecosystem through sustainable financing. (IST)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara agreed to strengthen the national cultural ecosystem through sustainable financing. The focus is directed at optimizing the Cultural Endowment Fund, the Indonesian Fund, and the integration of cultural policies with the state's finances.

"Indonesia has unparalleled cultural wealth. This is not just an identity, but an asset of civilization that must be managed in a directed, sustainable, and dignified manner," said Fadli Zon in a meeting at the Ministry of Culture Office, Senayan, Tuesday, January 20.

Fadli emphasized that the latest archaeological findings, including ancient paintings dating back tens of thousands of years in South Sulawesi, strengthen the position of Nusantara as one of the world's oldest centers of civilization. "This narrative is important to build confidence and national pride, in line with the President's direction," he said.

He also explained the challenges of managing cultural heritage and museums. Although the registration of cultural heritage has increased, human resources and system strengthening are still needed. "At the National Museum alone, there are about 194,000 artifacts that are in the process of matching data and arranging the value of the country's cultural assets," explained Fadli.

According to Fadli, public enthusiasm for museums and cultural heritage has soared since the establishment of the Ministry of Culture. The government responded by improving services, revitalizing exhibition spaces, and strengthening cultural diplomacy. "We are reactivating cultural houses abroad, encouraging the repatriation of artifacts, and placing culture as an economic and industrial base," he said.

Regarding the Cultural Endowment, Fadli assessed that the main challenge was the system and capacity of the implementers. "The funds continue to increase, but the mechanism must be simplified so that it is easier for cultural actors to access, without sacrificing accountability and transparency," he said.

Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara emphasized that the Cultural Endowment Fund managed through the LPDP serves as a complement to state spending. "The endowment can be used to fund cultural activities and programs, while maintaining good governance," said Suahasil.

He also encouraged the use of regional transfer funds for the cultural sector as well as opening up opportunities for public-private partnership schemes. "We welcome the development of PPP for cultural infrastructure that is income generating. The state budget can be a support so that projects remain viable and attractive to the private sector," he said.

Closing the meeting, both parties agreed to draw up a medium- and long-term cultural roadmap so that cultural development is integrated with national fiscal policies and has a real impact on the economy and civilization of the nation.