Fadli states that West Java's cultural heritage needs promotion up to artistic communities

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Culture Minister Fadli Zon highlighted the potential of the cultural heritage in the West Java region, which needs to be continuously strengthened through promotion, ecosystem development, and bolstering artistic communities. “We continue to encourage cultural expressions in West Java to become more vibrant, including through festivals, revitalisation of cultural sites, and strengthening artistic communities. We hope that the West Java DPRD and Provincial Government can continue to collaborate with us in promoting cultural advancement in the region,” Fadli stated in a confirmed release from Jakarta on Thursday. He made these remarks while receiving a visit from the Special Committee (Pansus) for the Draft Regional Regulation (Ranperda) on Cultural Advancement from the West Java DPRD at the Ministry of Culture’s office, aimed at strengthening policy synchronisation between the central and regional governments in drafting the Ranperda on Cultural Advancement in West Java. Fadli also stressed that advancing culture requires consistent collaborative efforts between the central government, regional governments, and cultural actors across various regions. He conveyed that the Ministry of Culture will continue to promote the strengthening of the cultural ecosystem, including support for communities, development of cultural spaces, and facilitation of various cultural programmes in the regions. “We are committed to supporting the efforts of the West Java DPRD and Provincial Government in advancing culture and strengthening a sustainable cultural ecosystem,” he explained. On the same occasion, the Chairman of the West Java DPRD, Bucky Wibawa, stated that the drafting of this ranperda needs to be aligned with the Cultural Advancement Law as well as the real needs in the region. He also emphasised the importance of central government support, including in policy and funding aspects. “We hope that this Regional Regulation does not stop at regulation alone, but also receives concrete support so that culture in West Java can develop and become part of development. For this, synchronisation with Central Government policies is needed,” he said. The Chairman of the Pansus, Ahab Siabudin, affirmed that culture needs to become the foundation in regional development. He assessed that strengthening the role of the central government is important so that cultural policies in the regions are more directed and sustainable. “Culture must become the colour in community life, nationhood, and statehood. For this, strengthening from the centre is needed so that culture becomes the main stream in regional development, including in budgeting aspects,” he stated.