Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Criticises Valuation of Creative Work at Rp0 in Amsal Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar has criticised the prosecutor’s perspective on the creative work of videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu, who is on trial in the corruption case regarding a village profile video project in Karo Regency during 2020-2022. “The creative process is the soul of the creative industry; it should be appreciated for its expertise, not nullified in value or even criminalised. If ideas, concepts, and creative processes are valued at Rp0, that is not only wrong, it is dangerous. It is tantamount to killing creativity,” said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in Jakarta on Monday. According to him, the prosecutor’s valuation of ideas, concepts, editing processes, and dubbing as having “no value” or merely Rp0 represents a misguided and perilous approach for the future of Indonesia’s creative economy. He stated that in the creative industry, the primary value lies in the process, from research, idea exploration, production, to execution, which cannot be measured by conventional methods. “Do not let our universities lose interest in teaching creativity because it is deemed valueless. If creativity is valued at zero, who will want to learn, who will want to create?” he said. According to him, millions of Indonesians currently depend on the creative economy sector, from content creators, videographers, editors, designers, to other creative workers, who rely on ideas and works for their livelihoods. Muhaimin Iskandar emphasised 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. Do not let inappropriate approaches make creators afraid to produce and lose their enthusiasm,” he said. “If we want the creative economy to grow, we must start from the basics, acknowledging that creativity has value. Not zero, but as the foundation,” said Muhaimin Iskandar. He reminded that today’s policy direction will determine the future of Indonesia’s creative ecosystem. “Do not kill creativity. Protect, facilitate, and value it. Because from there, the future of Indonesia’s economy and community empowerment is built,” said Muhaimin Iskandar.