RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Administration and the Ministry of Culture have launched a landmark partnership to accelerate cultural advancement and revitalize the capital’s historical landmarks.

The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. It seeks to integrate heritage preservation with modern urban development to boost the city's tourism and creative economy.

Jakarta Deputy Governor, Rano Karno, emphasized that cultural preservation must transcend simply guarding the past, focusing instead on ensuring that traditional values remain relevant and beneficial to contemporary society.

He highlighted Jakarta's unique position as a national "melting pot" where Betawi traditions, such as Ondel-ondel (Betawi giant puppet) and Lenong (traditional comedy theater), coexist with diverse expressions from across the Indonesian archipelago.

"Culture plays a vital role in city development. The development of museums, cultural heritage sites, performing arts, and culture-based creative industries is capable of driving tourism in Jakarta," remarked Rano, as quoted by Antara.

He added that synergy between the provincial and central governments is expected to strengthen the role of culture in achieving sustainable urban growth. This collaboration is also aimed at improving the city's Cultural Development Index.

Echoing this sentiment, Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, identified Jakarta’s vast collection of 18th-century architecture as a priority for the new initiative. He specifically noted the need for a comprehensive masterplan for the Kota Tua area to rescue significant structures that have fallen into disrepair.

"Especially with the Jakarta Province, there are so many cultural heritage assets. Regarding the arrangement of Kota Tua, I think we need to be involved so that cultural heritage in Jakarta becomes stronger and we can revitalize it. Many buildings from the 1700s with baroque style are currently neglected, including the East Warehouse, the former VOC fence," remarked Minister Fadli.

Through this cooperation, the Jakarta administration plans to intensify efforts in the protection and utilization of cultural assets. Simultaneously, the administration will invest in human resource development to support these initiatives.

Rano Karno expressed optimism for the future of the partnership. "May this synergy provide real benefits for cultural preservation and strengthen the role of culture in the sustainable development of Jakarta." ***