RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Culture and the Regional Regulation Formation Agency (BAPEMPERDA) of Serang City have agreed to strengthen cultural advancement through the formulation of regional regulations and the development of a cultural ecosystem in Serang City, Banten. Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, during a meeting in Jakarta on Sunday, said that Banten is a region requiring accelerated cultural advancement due to its rich historical and cultural potential.

“Banten needs distinctive and unique festivals that are recognized nationally, not only within Banten. With existing cultural assets such as Surosowan Palace and Kaibon Palace, we can revitalize and activate them in building a cultural ecosystem,” Fadli Zon said in a press statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

He stated that cultural advancement must be built through a cross-sector ecosystem involving various regional agencies, ranging from education and the creative economy to tourism. According to him, regional development should not only focus on physical aspects, but must also preserve the cultural roots of the community as the foundation of development.

On the same occasion, Chairman of BAPEMPERDA Serang City, Edi Santoso, said that Serang City’s main strength lies in its historical and cultural aspects, making culture the basis of regional development.

“Tourism should not be separated from cultural roots. Culture must become the root and foundation of Serang City’s development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Serang City academic and cultural activist Ferry Sandi stated that the drafting of the Regional Regulation on Cultural Advancement was driven by public aspirations voiced during the Serang City Cultural Congress in September 2025.

During the meeting, BAPEMPERDA Serang City also expressed support for plans to restore historical sites such as Benteng Surosowan and Keraton Kaibon.

The support will be realized through the drafting of Regional Regulations on Cultural Advancement, Creative Economy, and Tourism, as well as institutional strengthening by integrating cultural, tourism, and creative economy sectors into a single regional agency. The Serang City Government also expressed readiness to provide land to support cultural infrastructure development, including a cultural hall as a space for arts and cultural communities.