RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that the Ministry of Culture is ready to support Eastern Indonesian musicians as they develop and establish a music ecosystem.

"The Ministry of Culture is ready to encourage and facilitate all of you in creating a music ecosystem and other cultural advancements. Many Eastern Indonesian songs have gone viral, such as Tabola-Bale. This phenomenon deserves appreciation from all Indonesians," the minister said in a press statement in Jakarta on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the popularity of music from Eastern Indonesia shows that musical works based on local wisdom can reach music lovers across regions and generations.

The Ministry is committed to strengthening the national music ecosystem. One way it is doing this is through the Indonesian Music Conference (KMI).

This program includes activities such as discussions, exhibitions, seminars, and a music market. These activities aim to encourage collaboration and expand the market for Indonesian musicians. The goal is to continue growing and developing the potential of Indonesian music, particularly from Eastern Indonesia.

In addition to music, Minister Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of developing a musical drama ecosystem to strengthen the culture-based creative industry. This sector is considered capable of becoming a platform for artistic expression as well as a means of cultural diplomacy, given its immense potential.

He expressed his hope that Eastern Indonesian musicians will perform more widely. "We hope that Eastern Indonesian musicians can emerge not only in Indonesia, but also internationally," he said.

Echo Show, a musician from Gorontalo, expressed his belief that Eastern Indonesian music needs a "home," especially when it comes to categorizing and recognizing musical genres. He considers this crucial for strengthening the identity, ecosystem, and sustainability of regional music at the national level. "We may need a home for Eastern music, especially in terms of genres," Echo said.

Hany Patikawa, a musician from Ambon, proposed holding a special awards ceremony for Eastern Indonesian musicians that recognizes their unique identity and musical genres. "Hopefully, the Ministry of Culture will receive our ideas well," he explained.

In response to the various suggestions, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha, emphasized that the government is present to facilitate the strengthening of the music ecosystem, including the categorization of Eastern Indonesian music. This topic was one of the main focuses of discussion in this FGD.

"The state will operate according to the agreement of our fellow musicians. You also have the space to create new genres because you already have your own ecosystem and fans, supported by digital media."

Giring added that the Ministry of Culture is committed to supporting a healthy music ecosystem. One way they plan to do so is through the National Talent Management program, which provides a platform for artists to meet with professionals in their fields.

The FGD on the Eastern Indonesian Music Ecosystem Roadmap is the first step in building cross-sector collaboration between the government, the private sector, musicians, and the community. This synergy is crucial for developing the Eastern Indonesian music ecosystem domestically and globally. ***