RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is accelerating efforts to strengthen its cultural sector through heritage preservation, museum development, creative industries, and international cultural diplomacy. The initiatives were outlined by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon during a media dialogue titled Casual Discussion on Cultural Advancement at the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

He said the Ministry of Culture has intensified its work since becoming an independent institution nearly two years ago, in line with the Cultural Advancement Law. The ministry's priorities include safeguarding cultural heritage and traditions, expanding cultural development and utilization, strengthening institutions, and promoting Indonesian culture internationally.

"We are pursuing more accelerated cultural advancement through the protection of cultural heritage and traditions, as well as development, utilization, capacity building, and cultural diplomacy in accordance with the mandate of the law," Fadli said.

The minister noted significant progress in heritage preservation, with the number of National Cultural Heritage sites increasing to 743 from fewer than 228 before the ministry became a standalone institution. He also highlighted growing public interest in museums, with 20,000 Museum Passports sold, reflecting strong enthusiasm—particularly among younger generations for cultural exploration.

The government is also expanding Indonesia's museum network by converting existing heritage buildings into new cultural spaces, including a Film Museum in Jakarta's Old Town, a Photography Museum in Semarang, and a Music Museum in Bandung. According to him, these institutions will preserve the history of Indonesia's creative industries while strengthening public appreciation of the country's cultural achievements.

Fadli said Indonesia's cultural industries continue to demonstrate strong domestic performance, with local films accounting for approximately 67 percent of the national box office market and around 15 Indonesian films reaching box-office status in 2026. He added that roughly 80 percent of Indonesians listen to domestic music, indicating a healthy and expanding ecosystem for the country's creative sector.

The ministry is also increasing support for literature, visual arts, and cultural communities through the IndonesiaRaya Fund, which has received more than 15,000 proposals for cultural projects backed by a Rp360 billion budget. Meanwhile, nearly 200 museums, palaces, and royal compounds across the country have been identified for revitalization following President Prabowo Subianto's directive to strengthen the role of history and culture in national development.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Culture plans to strengthen oral traditions through its Indonesia Bercerita (Indonesia Tells Stories) program while introducing younger generations to the nation's history through the revitalization of the Museum of the Proclamation Manuscript and the production of historical films covering Indonesia's struggle for independence between 1945 and 1950.

The ministry is also preparing a cultural center near the tomb of Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari in Cape Town, South Africa, to promote Indonesian history, culture, and language among the Indonesian diaspora, while commemorating the 400th anniversary of the national hero's birth with a special commemorative postage stamp.