RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is preparing to nominate dangdut, the country’s popular beloved music genre, to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between the Ministry of Culture and the Persatuan Artis Musik Dangdut Indonesia (PAMDI) on 23 February 2026.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the proposal builds on prior dsicussions between the government and the dangdut community. The main agenda is to prepare a formal nomination dossier for submission to UNESCO under its Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.

The minister stressed that the process requires rigorous academic research and comprehensive documentation. “This must be carried out together with the community, in this case PAMDI and other organizations, as well as accomplished musicians in this field,” Fadli said.

He added that dangdut has already been recognized as part of Indonesia’s national intangible cultural heritage, fulfilling a key requirement for UNESCO nomination. The government, he noted, is fostering wide-ranging collaboration with artists and cultural stakeholders to strengthen the submission.

PAMDI Chairman Rhoma Irama expressed strong support for the initiative while reaffirming dangdut’s Indonesian roots. “Until today, some still claim that dangdut originated from India and is not our culture. Having witnessed the evolution of dangdut, I can testify that it grew out of Malay orchestral traditions,” he said.

According to Rhoma, dangdut evolved from Malay musical forms that absorbed diverse cultural influences before developing a distinctly Indonesian character. He also pledged to assist in preparing the UNESCO nomination documents.

Beyond the nomination process, the ministry highlighted the need to strengthen the local dangdut scene through cooperation with regional governments, art studios, the music industry, and media platforms. Authorities have also recognized media outlets that contribute to promoting dangdut as part of Indonesia’s cultural advancement.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to immediately begin drafting the academic paper and nomination dossier, alongside diplomatic efforts to support the bid. Through collaboration between the government and the dangdut community, Indonesia aims to secure greater global recognition for dangdut as a defining element of its cultural identity.