DPR Member Reviews Riau's Creative Economy Development, Pledges to Bring Proposals to Central Government

A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VII, Hendry Munief, has reviewed the development of the creative economy in Riau Province to gather input for the 2027 Draft State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (RAPBN). During his visit to the Integrated Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Service Centre (PLUT UMKM) and the Riau Creative Hub, Hendry received numerous suggestions regarding the sector’s condition, including budget limitations and a lack of facilities. “The results of this visit will serve as important material for proposals from Riau in the RAPBN 2027,” Hendry stated on Thursday.

Hendry began his visit to the PLUT UMKM and Riau Creative Hub on Wednesday. The visit was part of an effort to identify which sectors could be developed through innovation and programmes, as well as to observe problems occurring on the ground. The Head of the Riau PLUT UMKM, Tresiana Anom Sari, highlighted the institution’s crucial role in coaching and developing the MSME sector in Riau. She noted that while the response from MSME actors has been very positive and they require guidance, the PLUT is currently facing bureaucratic challenges because government-appointed mentors have been reassigned to other sectors, making it difficult to provide consistent coaching. Other technical issues include the office’s location, which is not on a main road or in a busy centre, as well as limited budget and facilities.

In response, Hendry said his team has begun to inventory the problems facing MSME development in Riau. Input from related institutions will be used as material to be championed in the parliament. “We also want to propose several PLUT UMKM centres in districts within Riau Province. The notes from Mrs Tresiana will be taken into consideration so that the PLUTs to be established will be much better than the current ones,” Hendry said. The next visit was to the Riau Creative Hub (RCH), which is managed by the Riau Province Tourism and Creative Economy Office. During the visit, Hendry inspected the facilities and creative spaces at the RCH, such as the mini cinema, performing arts area, mural and photography spaces, recording studio, animation room, film, music, fashion design, dance, gaming or esports, and fine arts facilities.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office, Ade Yudistira, conveyed that the response from creative actors has been increasingly positive as the RCH is still new. He said many communities and creative economy players have already been nurtured by the Riau Province RCH, and a number of creative products have entered the market and become self-sustaining. “However, because this RCH is still new, many facilities are still lacking. We hope that Mr Hendry Munief can help propose this to the Creative Economy Ministry later,” said Ade. Hendry responded that the creative economy sector is the best alternative for increasing people’s income. Although relatively new, this sector is expected to become an incubator and promoter for the growth of the creative economy in Riau. “Riau Province is the only province that has a creative hub. This was acknowledged by the Creative Economy Minister, who stated he would give full attention to the Riau Creative Hub,” Hendry said. He added that because the RCH will serve as a model for a provincial-level creative hub, DPR Commission VII will strive to facilitate the Riau Provincial Government’s engagement with the Creative Economy Ministry and other parties so that the RCH can continue to grow and become a source of pride for the people of Riau.