Fadli Zon confirms Indonesian history book publication in August

Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that the Indonesian history book titled ‘History of Indonesia: National Dynamics in the Global Current’ will be published in August this year. ‘It has actually been published, but we are currently editing the layout and design. Insha’Allah, it will be out this August,’ Fadli Zon said after attending Eid al-Adha prayers at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on May 27, 2026. Fadli said the book would be accessible to the public upon publication. The book’s general editor, Singgih Tri Sulistiyono, said the content of the government’s national history book is complete, though the cover design has yet to be finalised. The professor from Diponegoro University’s Faculty of Cultural Studies added that the cover design is still being refined by the book’s designer, with the Ministry of Culture overseeing the layout. ‘This is now just a matter of the design process. The Ministry of Culture will ultimately decide on the design,’ Singgih told Tempo on May 13, 2026. The 8,000-page, 11-volume book was compiled by 123 historians from 34 Indonesian universities. The volumes cover: 1. Early Nusantara History; 2. Nusantara in Global Networks: India and China; 3. Nusantara in Global Networks: Middle East; 4. Interaction with the West: Competition and Alliances; 5. Response to Colonialism; 6. National Movement; 7. Indonesian War of Independence; 8. Volatile Period and Integration Threats; 9. New Order (1967-1998); 10. Reform Era (1999-2024); and 11. Miscellany and Index. Singgih noted the new national history book would be printed in limited quantities for institutions, but the public can access a free PDF version via the online library. ‘The hard launch is expected around Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17,’ Singgih said. Last year, Culture Minister Fadli Zon launched the ‘History of Indonesia: National Dynamics in the Global Current’ at the Insan Berprestasi Plaza in Jakarta on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Fadli said the history writing project had sparked controversy, with some members of the public calling for it to be halted. However, he justified the criticism as part of the democratic process. ‘There was some controversy over halting the history writing, but that’s normal,’ Fadli said during a speech broadcast on the Ministry of Culture’s YouTube channel. Fadli claimed the history rewriting was done without government interference. The Gerindra Party politician stated his ministry merely facilitated historians to write the history. During last December’s launch, he also claimed he had not read the book at all. ‘I haven’t seen a single page of the book, so I’m not lying,’ he said.