Fadli Zon: Theatre Can Combat Human Trafficking
The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, believes that performing arts such as theatre are not merely for entertainment but can also serve as a guide for society. According to him, performing arts are capable of conveying moral messages and highlighting social and humanitarian issues that are sometimes difficult to communicate through other mediums.
“We hope that more themes regarding social and humanitarian issues will be raised through the performing arts, as they can reach people more quickly and be more easily accepted. In addition to being a spectacle, they also serve as a guide,” said Fadlo after watching the monologue “Kalau Bukan Aku” (If Not Me) at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, on Friday night (25/09/2026).
Fadli stated that the Ministry of Culture supports the development of the arts and culture ecosystem in Indonesia. This support is directed towards five sectors: film, music, literature, fine arts, and performing arts, including theatre.
According to Fadli, performing arts possess a unique strength in conveying issues occurring within society. He believes that messages packaged through stories and human experiences can more easily touch the audience’s consciousness compared to simply delivering information.
Consequently, Fadli expressed his appreciation for the monologue “Kalau Bukan Aku” by actress Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo. The performance addressed the issue of human trafficking and the suffering of the families left behind by victims.
“Presented in the form of theatre, the message conveyed through the monologue can awaken people’s awareness that human trafficking to foreign countries is still prevalent in Indonesia,” Fadli remarked.
He noted that victims of human trafficking originate from various regions, including provinces, villages, and cities. According to Fadli, some victims do not receive justice and their whereabouts remain unknown, making the issue in need of serious attention.
The performance of “Kalau Bukan Aku” was part of the MonoPlay Festival 2026, held at Taman Ismail Marzuki from 23–25 September 2026. The festival, themed “Lakon@cting,” brings together plays and acting through the exploration of text, body, voice, imagination, and the presence of an actor on stage.
In the monologue, Sara—the nickname for Rahayu Saraswati—leads the audience to view human trafficking not merely through statistics or legal processes. She presents the perspective of the victims’ families, who must live with uncertainty after their loved ones disappear without a trace.
Sara stated that the idea stemmed from her experience as an anti-human trafficking activist since 2009. Through her involvement in advocacy, she observed that public attention often focuses on the cases and the victims, while the voices of the families left behind are rarely heard.
“As an anti-human trafficking activist, I know that many of their voices are not heard. I only learn about it through news that has been filtered, which focuses solely on the cases themselves,” said Sara.