Cak Imin Criticises Amsal Sitepu Case: Valuing Creative Process at Rp 0 is Dangerous!

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin, has voiced criticism against prosecutors for their valuation of videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu’s creative work.

“If ideas, concepts, and the creative process are valued at Rp 0, that is not only wrong, it is dangerous. It is tantamount to killing creativity,” Cak Imin stated firmly in his remarks on Monday (30/3/2026).

According to Cak Imin, the prosecutors’ assessment of ideas, concepts, editing processes, and dubbing as having “no value” or even worth only Rp 0 represents a misguided approach.

“The creative process is the soul of the creative industry; its expertise should be appreciated, not devalued or even criminalised,” he said.

Furthermore, Cak Imin warned that such a perspective could have systemic impacts, including on the world of education.

“Do not let our universities lose interest in teaching creativity because it is seen as having no value. If creativity is valued at zero, who will want to learn, who will want to create?” he remarked.

They rely on ideas and works for their livelihood.

“Do not let an inappropriate approach make creators afraid to produce and lose their spirit,” he said.

Cak Imin stressed that the creative economy sector is currently becoming a new engine for Indonesia’s economic growth.

“The Prabowo administration is committed to empowering the creative industry ecosystem by protecting and appreciating creative workers,” he stated.

“If we want the creative economy to grow, we must start from the most basic thing: acknowledging that creativity has value. Not zero, but rather as a foundation,” he asserted.