RRI.CO.ID, Tasikmalaya - Indonesia is strengthening efforts to preserve the historical legacy of its cooperative movement through the revitalization of the Tugu Koperasi Area in Tasikmalaya, West Java. The initiative was launched by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon during the commemoration of the 79th National Cooperatives Day on Sunday July 26, 2026.

The revitalization project is designed to safeguard one of Indonesia's most significant cooperative heritage sites while reinforcing the country's long-standing commitment to a people-centered economy. The program also reflects the government's broader strategy of integrating cultural preservation with sustainable regional development.

The Tugu Koperasi Area occupies a special place in Indonesia's modern history as the venue of the First Indonesian Cooperative Congress on July 12, 1947. That historic gathering later became the basis for the designation of National Cooperatives Day, although the original building was destroyed during the Second Dutch Military Aggression in 1949.

Despite the loss of the original structure, the site has remained a symbol of the cooperative movement and the spirit of mutual cooperation that has shaped Indonesia's economic development. The revitalization seeks not only to restore the physical area but also to strengthen its educational, cultural, and social functions for future generations.

Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said the site's historical importance extends beyond its physical remains, as it represents the birthplace of one of Indonesia's most influential grassroots economic movements. "We must position this site within its proper historical context and transform the Tugu Koperasi Area into a living heritage site, because this is where the spirit of the cooperative movement was nurtured," he said.

Fadli also noted that cooperatives remain one of the government's development priorities under President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita agenda. He expressed hope that the Tugu Koperasi Area would soon be officially designated as a National Cultural Heritage Site, further strengthening legal protection for the historic landmark.

The revitalization is expected to create a cultural destination that combines historical education with heritage tourism while encouraging greater public appreciation of Indonesia's cooperative history. The initiative also aims to generate broader economic and cultural benefits for local communities through sustainable heritage management.

The Ministry of Culture emphasized that preserving historic sites requires close collaboration between the central government, regional administrations, and other stakeholders. Through the revitalization of the Tugu Koperasi Area, Indonesia seeks to ensure that the values of cooperation, mutual assistance, and shared prosperity continue to inspire future generations while safeguarding an important chapter of the nation's history.