Fadli Zon Emphasizes Culture as the Key to Maintaining Indonesia as a Civilization State

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon (doc Kemenbud)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon considers that Indonesia needs to rediscover its identity in the midst of national challenges. According to him, Indonesia is not sufficiently understood as an ordinary country, but as a civilization country.

This was conveyed by Fadli when attending the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Indonesian Movement for Progress or PIM at the Ambhara Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday, May 21. Fadli said that the values of humanity, diversity, and togetherness carried by PIM are in line with Article 32 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution. This article emphasizes that the state promotes the national culture of Indonesia in the midst of world civilization.

According to Fadli, Indonesia has an extraordinary cultural wealth. He calls it a cultural mega diversity, namely cultural diversity on a very large scale.

"This is part of reinventing the Indonesian identity, to rediscover our identity," said Fadli.

He also criticized the view that Indonesia was born because of 350 years of colonization. According to him, such a narrative could damage the way the younger generation sees their own nation.

Fadli assessed that what should be highlighted is the history of the Indonesian people's resistance against colonialism. He also alluded to Bung Hatta's view of democracy. According to Fadli, Indonesian democracy must be based on its own culture, namely gotong royong, deliberation, tolerance, and togetherness.

"This is the characteristic that has united Indonesia until now," he said.

Fadli said Indonesia has long been a meeting place for various cultures. Therefore, he assessed that Indonesia is better understood as a civilizational state or a civilization state, not just a normal modern state.

At the same event, the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla or often called JK, emphasized the importance of discipline in building a nation. According to JK, morality and culture cannot be formed without discipline.

PIM Chairman Din Syamsuddin said his organization did not want to be silent about the nation's structural problems. He called humanity, diversity, and togetherness as the answer for Indonesia's future.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Environment, Moh. Jumhur Hidayat, Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlements Fahri Hamzah, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Jimly Asshiddiqie, cultural activist Eros Djarot, senior researcher Siti Zuhro, and a number of other figures.