RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, welcomed senior artist Jaja Miharja during a meeting at the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta Thursday, 9 April 2026. The meeting highlighted the artist’s long-standing contribution to Indonesia’s music and cultural development.

The minister expressed appreciation for Jaja Miharja’s dedication over decades. He emphasized that the artist has played a significant role in preserving Betawi culture through music.

Fadli Zon also revealed that the ministry has proposed Jaja Miharja for the Bintang Budaya Parama Dharma award. The honor is submitted to the President of Indonesia through the official national recognition council mechanism.

During the discussion, both sides reflected on Jaja Miharja’s artistic journey. The senior artist has produced at least 20 solo albums along with numerous recordings in cassette, vinyl, and CD formats.

The meeting also explored potential support for documenting Jaja Miharja’s career. One of the options includes funding through the Dana Indonesia Raya program, which supports cultural initiatives.

He explained that the funding scheme is accessible to artists and cultural communities. “Dana Indonesiana is a fund that can be used by communities, artists, or individuals, as long as proposals follow the applicable mechanism,” he said.

The discussion further touched on the history of Indonesian music, including developments in the 1960s era. It also covered stage experiences and the evolving dynamics of the national music ecosystem.

Fadli Zon praised Jaja Miharja’s enduring passion for the arts despite his age. He expressed hope that the 84-year-old artist would remain healthy and continue contributing to Indonesia’s cultural landscape.