"One Century of Gadang Clock" is being prepared, Minister of Fadli Minta Bukittinggi to Partner with Private Sector and DPR

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. (IST)

"We support the plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Jam Gadang." The statement from Minister of Culture Fadli Zon was a signal that the celebration of a century of Jam Gadang in June 2026 will not stop as a city agenda, but will be directed to become a stage for the promotion of culture as well as strengthening the narrative of national history.

The support was conveyed by Fadli Zon when he received the Mayor of Bukittinggi Muhammad Ramlan Nurmatias and his entourage at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Tuesday (10/2). During the meeting, the Mayor explained a series of educational, cultural, and art activities - including national and international seminars that will be published as a reference for the development of Jam Gadang.

Ramlan emphasized that Jam Gadang remained firmly standing without shifting, which he called a proof of the value of architecture and high technology. The city government has also launched the "One Hundred Years of Jam Gadang" logo and prepared a cross-disciplinary agenda involving scientists, cultural figures, artists, architects, and civil engineers. They also plan to communicate with the ambassadors of the Netherlands and Germany as potential speakers, considering that Jam Gadang was built during the colonial period and uses a German-made clock machine that is still functioning.

In addition to celebrations, Ramlan encouraged the strengthening of Bukittinggi's identity as a city of struggle. He said that Bukittinggi had been the center of government in several periods - including being the capital of various regions - and was one of the three areas that received duplicate Pusaka Flags.

Fadli stated that the commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of Jam Gadang was in line with cultural development, especially that Jam Gadang had been designated as a national cultural heritage at the end of 2025. The Minister of Culture also encouraged the Bukittinggi City Government to build collaboration with the private sector, philanthropists, and members of the DPR from the Sumbar district so that support could be easily collected and the event could run optimally.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of State of Bukittinggi Rismal Hadi. From the Ministry of Education, there were, among others, Ismunandar Expert Staff, and Saefullah Director.