Minister Of Culture Encourages The Determination Of Lida Ajer Caves As National Cultural Heritage Sites

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon (ANTARA/HO-Kemenkebud)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, revealed that Lida Ajer Cave in Nagari Tungkar, Limapuluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, has great potential to be designated as a national cultural heritage site by the Ministry of Culture (Kemenkebud).

"The determination of Lida Ajer Cave as a national cultural heritage site begins through a process at the district level, then continues to the provincial level, before finally becoming part of the national heritage," said Fadli Zon in a written statement in Jakarta, as quoted by Antara.

Fadli Zon explained that research by international scientists shows Lida Ajer Cave storing the oldest human teeth fossil in Southeast Asia, even in East Asia. These findings strengthen the historical value of the cave, as studied by a team of experts from the Ministry of Culture.

He also emphasized the importance of preserving this cave from the threat of damage, including vandalism such as graffiti on the cave walls.

During a visit to Lida Ajer Cave, Fadli Zon was accompanied by a number of officials, including DPR-RI member Ade Rezeki Pratama, Deputy Chairman of the West Sumatra DPRD Eviyandri Rajo Budiman, and member of the Limapuluh Kota Regency DPRD, M. Fajar Rillah Vesky. Fajar is the author of the book "Lida Ajer Dari Tungkar Untuk Dunia", which summarized his writing while he was a Padang Express journalist. This book was nominated for the 2022 Press Council Award.

The visit of the Minister of Culture also involved the Head of the West Sumatra Culture Service Jefrinal Arifin, the Head of the Cultural Preservation Center for Region III of West Sumatra Undri, and a number of other officials. Their presence shows the synergy between the central and regional governments in supporting the preservation of this historic site.

At the Tungkar Nagari Traditional Center, a group of ministers was welcomed by the Regional Secretary of Limapuluh Kota Herman Azmar, along with other regional officials, such as Assistant II Ahmad Zuhdi Kerama and Head of the Public Works Service Nono Patria.

Representing the people of Nagari Tungkar, Wali Nagari Yusrizal Dt Pado expressed hope that Lida Ajer Cave would soon be designated as a national cultural heritage site in order to maintain this cultural heritage.

Member of the Limapuluh Kota Regency DPRD, M. Fajar Rillah Vesky, welcomed the visit of Minister Fadli Zon. He considered Lida Ajer Cave as a world heritage that has very high scientific and tourism values. According to Fajar, the existence of this cave is beyond local pride, because it can contribute to global science and community welfare through sustainable tourism.

"We hope that concrete steps will be taken soon to establish this cave as a national cultural heritage site in accordance with Law no. 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Conservation and Government Regulation No. 1 of 2022 concerning National Registers and Preservation of Cultural Conservation," he said.

The Regent of Limapuluh Kota, Safaruddin Dt Bandaro Rajo, revealed that his party had taken a number of strategic steps to support the determination of Lida Ajer Cave as a cultural heritage. Some of these steps include:

With joint efforts by the central and regional governments, it is hoped that Lida Ajer Cave can be recognized as a national cultural heritage, as well as a symbol of preserving Indonesian history and culture.