Culture Minister: Renovation of Ampang Gadang Old Mosque Could Boost Local Economy

Culture Minister Fadli Zon hopes the restoration of Masjid Tuo Ampang Gadang in Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, will positively impact the local economy, including through developing the area as a cultural and tourism destination. “After the renovation, support from the community, district government, and Regional House of Representatives is needed to activate the mosque,” Fadli Zon said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday. Inaugurating the first phase of the restoration on Friday, he noted the mosque, which has stood since 1834, is a cultural heritage building. The inauguration was marked by the signing of an inscription witnessed by Lima Puluh Kota Regent Safni Sikumbang and Deputy Regent Ahlul Badrito Resha. According to Fadli, the next phase of restoration will cover area landscaping, fence installation, and provision of visitor information, targeted for completion in 2026. He said the preservation effort is carried out through collaboration between the central government, regional government, private sector, and communities with a concern for culture. Fadli also expressed hope that the historic mosque will remain alive with its community and continue to be part of preserving local history and religious traditions. “Hopefully, Masjid Tuo Ampang Gadang, which we have repaired and restored, can become a mosque that continues with its community, its history, and its teachings,” he said. Meanwhile, Regent Safni Sikumbang welcomed the mosque’s restoration and assessed that the programme aligns with national development priorities in the cultural sector and supports regional development. In the next phase, the government will restore the mosque’s minaret, built in 1901. The minaret is believed to feature architecture resulting from the acculturation of Minangkabau culture with Mughal culture from Central Asia. The Ministry of Culture, together with the regional government, is committed to developing the Masjid Tuo Ampang Gadang area as a destination for culture, history, religious tourism, culinary tourism, and nature tourism to drive economic growth for the surrounding community.