Fadli Zon Pushes Development of Historic Villas in Puncak Area

RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - Indonesia's Culture Minister, Fadli Zon, visited Villa Bung Hatta and Villa Riung Gunung in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Tuesday August 18, 2026. His attendance was to inspect the condition of the historic buildings and promote the development of the area as a historical and cultural destination.

The visit was part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to strengthen the preservation and utilization of heritage buildings. At Villa Bung Hatta, Fadli Zon inspected the site where Indonesia’s first Vice President, Mohammad Hatta, held a simple wedding ceremony with Rahmi Rachim. The site preserves various historical memories, including photographs, books, and letters written by Mohammad Hatta.

Fadli explained that Mohammad Hatta had made a personal commitment not to marry until Indonesia gained independence. After Indonesia declared independence, Hatta married Rahmi Rachim at Villa Bung Hatta, making the site an important part of Indonesia’s national history.

The Ministry of Culture is pushing to accelerate the designation of Villa Bung Hatta from a regency-level cultural heritage site to a national cultural heritage site. “There are many historic sites related to our national figures in the Puncak area, and we hope Villa Bung Hatta will also become a National Cultural Heritage Site this year,” Fadli Zon said.

According to him, Villa Bung Hatta has significant historical value because it was a place where Mohammad Hatta worked and developed ideas that helped shape the foundations of Indonesia’s national journey. He said upgrading the site’s heritage status could strengthen preservation efforts while expanding its public use.

As part of the visit, Fadli also inspected Villa Riung Gunung, which he said has strong potential to become a historical and cultural tourism destination in Cisarua. “Puncak has tremendous potential to become a cultural, culinary, and historical destination, as well as a destination for various other types of tourism,” Fadli said.

Fadli encouraged the designation of Villa Riung Gunung as a cultural heritage site while promoting its use to support the local economy. He emphasized that historic buildings should not only preserve stories from the past but also serve as educational spaces and tourism attractions for both domestic and international visitors.

The Ministry of Culture continues to promote the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage through various programs, including the restoration of the Perwara Temples at the Prambanan Temple complex, the revitalization of the Muara Jambi National Cultural Heritage Area, and the digitization of historical narratives at important heritage sites. These efforts aim to preserve the historical value and physical integrity of cultural heritage while maximizing its potential to improve the welfare of local communities.