West Java Cultural Policy Synchronization Spotlighted, Minister Fadli Asked to Ensure Real Support

Fadli Zon receives the West Java DPRD Special Committee at the Ministry of Culture, Wednesday, April 30. (IST)

JAKARTA - The discussion of the West Java Cultural Development Regulation (Raperda) has come down to one problem, namely, regulations without real support are considered at risk of stalling on paper.

This came to light when Fadli Zon received the Special Committee of the West Java DPRD at the Ministry of Culture, Wednesday, April 30. The focus of the meeting was not only on harmonizing the rules, but ensuring that central policies really support implementation in the region.

Chairman of the West Java DPRD, Bucky Wibawa, emphasized that the regulations that were drafted must be in line with the Cultural Development Law while answering the real needs in the field. He reminded, without the support of policies and funding from the center, regulations have the potential not to work.

"This regulation must be alive. It's not just a rule, but there is concrete support so that culture can develop," he said.

The chairman of the committee, Ahab Siabudin, assessed that the position of culture is still not fully a mainstream of regional development. He asked for the central role to be strengthened, especially in the direction of policy and budgeting.

"Culture must be the foundation of development, not a complement," he said.

In terms of substance, the Raperda Drafting Team, Zaini Alif, highlighted the complexity of West Java as a multiethnic region. Cultural diversity is considered a strength as well as a challenge in the drafting of rules.

In response to this, Fadli Zon emphasized that culture is not only an identity, but also an economic instrument. He said that the cultural and creative sectors could be a driver of growth if they were managed seriously.

"Culture is an inexhaustible force. It can become an economic engine through the creative industry," he said.

He also highlighted the need for concrete steps: promotion, strengthening the ecosystem, to the utilization of cultural space. The central government, he said, is ready to encourage collaboration with regions, including through festivals, site revitalization, and support for the art community.