Indonesia Moves to Strengthen North Maluku’s Cultural Heritage

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Culture Minister, Fadli Zon, has called for stronger efforts to advance and preserve the cultural heritage of North Maluku. He made the statement while attending the inauguration of the 2026–2031 executive board of the North Maluku Family Association (HIKMU) in Jakarta .

Based on the release received by RRI VOI Sunday, August 23, 2026, Fadli highlighted North Maluku’s important role in the history of the Indonesian archipelago, particularly as part of the historic Spice Islands. “History also records North Maluku as the Spice Islands, which connected the Indonesian archipelago with various countries,” he said.

The minister said North Maluku has significant cultural and historical assets, including Fort Oranje, Fort Kalamata, and the heritage of the Ternate, Tidore, Jailolo and Bacan sultanates. The region’s cultural identity is also reflected in the philosophy of “Moloku Kie Raha,” or the union of the four mountains and sultanates of Maluku, as well as its diverse customs and languages.

Fadli stressed that these cultural assets represent valuable resources that need to be preserved, developed and introduced to wider audiences. He added that advancing culture is a constitutional mandate under Article 32, Paragraph 1 of Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution.

The minister noted that Indonesia’s cultural diversity includes 1,340 ethnic groups and 718 languages across the archipelago. “I describe our diversity as mega diversity, an extraordinary diversity and wealth,” Fadli said, adding that the Ministry of Culture is working to strengthen cultural advancement comprehensively.

Indonesia currently has 2,727 registered intangible cultural heritage elements and 743 nationally designated cultural heritage sites. Fadli described these assets, including heritage already recognized internationally and those yet to receive global recognition, as cultural capital that should be advanced collectively.

The Ministry of Culture also plans to revitalize several cultural heritage sites in North Maluku, including sites in Ternate and Tidore. One area of interest is the legacy of British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in Ternate, which Fadli said could be developed as part of the region’s historical and scientific heritage for public visits.

Fadli called on HIKMU members to contribute to the advancement of national culture, particularly North Maluku’s cultural heritage. He said collaboration among the central and local governments, indigenous communities, cultural organizations, young people and other stakeholders is essential to ensure Indonesia’s cultural heritage remains alive, develops and is passed on to future generations.