Koster Presents Bali's Creative Economy Development to Megawati
Wayan Koster, Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Bali, presented various achievements in cultural-based creative economy development at the closing ceremony of Bung Karno Month 2026. The event took place at the Bali Beach Convention Centre, The Meru, Sanur, on Sunday, 28 June 2026, in the presence of the 5th President of Indonesia and PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was accompanied by PDIP Central Board Chairman M. Prananda Prabowo.
In his report, Koster stated that the entire series of Bung Karno Month activities in Bali was an implementation of Bung Karno’s Trisakti doctrine, particularly in building economic self-reliance and strengthening culture. “This entire series of activities is a concrete implementation of Trisakti Bung Karno: political sovereignty, economic self-reliance, and cultural identity,” Koster asserted.
One highlighted programme was the Arak Bali Mixology Competition, which Koster said is part of an effort to encourage youth creativity while increasing the economic value of local products. “The Arak Bali Mixology Competition aims to encourage the creativity of the younger generation to develop Arak Bali as a leading creative economy product. Currently, 54 brands of Arak Bali have entered the international market,” he revealed.
In addition to arak, Koster also reported on the development of coffee commodities through the Bali Barista Competition, serving as a promotional platform for local coffee that has received Geographical Indication certification. “The Bali Barista Competition is a promotional platform for local coffee products from Kintamani, Pupuan, and Banyuatis, which have obtained Geographical Indication certificates,” he added.
On the occasion, Koster expressed his appreciation to M. Prananda Prabowo, the PDIP Central Board Chair for Creative and Digital Economy, who was considered instrumental in encouraging the birth of various creative activities during Bung Karno Month in Bali. “Thank you to Mr. Prananda Prabowo, who continues to encourage the birth of creative and innovative activities. He serves as the Chair for Creative and Digital Economy,” said Koster.
According to Koster, this support was reflected in the organisation of 16 competitions covering traditional performing arts, fashion, and Endek Bali motif design. One of them, the Endek Bali Creative Motif Design Competition, successfully produced 81 new works from students and local artisans. Overall, the Bung Karno Month 2026 series in Bali involved 14,569 participants from various educational levels and attracted around 27,000 spectators. Koster expressed hope that these achievements could become a model for a sustainable cultural movement. “Let us make Bung Karno Month not just an annual activity, but a permanent movement to ground Pancasila, defend the common people, care for the motherland, and advance national culture,” he concluded.
On the same occasion, PDIP Central Board Chairman Eriko Sotarduga emphasised that food sovereignty is part of the nation’s struggle, in line with the spirit of Bung Karno’s Trisakti. “We must be proud of local food, MSME products, and the richness of the archipelago’s culinary heritage,” he said. He added that strengthening the regional economy is pursued not only through political channels but also through the development of local food, culture, and a people’s economy as the foundation of national self-reliance.