Minister of Culture Fadli Zon Delivers Aid to Disaster Victims at Surau Gadang
Opening a series of working visits to West Sumatra, Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon distributed aid to communities affected by a natural disaster in the Sibohong Syekh Burhanuddin Surau Gadang cultural heritage site, Padang Pariaman. Beyond serving as a pilgrimage destination, the site functions as a space for communities to learn and understand the history and origins of Islamic religious development in West Sumatra.
Fadli expressed deep condolences for the natural disaster that occurred in Padang Pariaman, and urged the community to support one another and rise together through the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong). “I extend my sympathies to the affected communities. I recently visited North Sumatra to also channel assistance. Going forward, we must be increasingly vigilant in facing uncertain climate change and addressing this disaster with the spirit of gotong royong,” Fadli said in a written statement on Friday (13 March 2026).
Fadli also emphasised that the Ministry of Culture has a duty to protect cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. The Sibohong Syekh Burhanuddin Surau Gadang burial site and shrine represents one cultural heritage with important historical value for the Minangkabau people. According to him, maintaining this pilgrimage site is a shared responsibility, not only in caring for the physical site, but also in preserving the historical values embedded within it.
Symbolically, Fadli distributed aid in the form of prayer equipment supplies to representatives of korong and nagari (administrative units) in Padang Pariaman, namely Korong Rajang, Korong Baruah, Nagari Sandi Ulakan, and Nagari Sungai Batang. Aid was also provided to the administrators of Inyiak Deer Mosque and Sintuk War Museum from Agam District.
“Minangkabau has demonstrated very strong cultural dialogue. This is a powerful formula and young people must help maintain it,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Padang Pariaman Regent John Kennedy Aziz appreciated the Ministry of Culture’s support for the preservation of Surau Gadang as a historic site and important centre for the spread of Islam in Minangkabau territory, particularly in Padang Pariaman. In his remarks, he described several cultural objects in Padang Pariaman that have been recorded as protected cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage.
“There are 98 protected cultural sites in Padang Pariaman that have been designated and 15 intangible cultural heritage items, with the tomb of Sibohong Syekh Burhanuddin Surau Gadang recorded as one of the provincial-level protected cultural sites,” John explained. He added that the local government still has work to do in continuing to strengthen documentation, protection, and preservation of cultural objects that exist within the community. With increasingly more cultural heritage being designated, it is hoped that their existence can be better protected and more widely recognised by the public.
Attending the event were several regional officials, including a member of the West Sumatra Provincial Parliament, Jempol; the Head of the West Sumatra Provincial Culture Service; and officials from the Padang Pariaman Regency Government. Accompanying Fadli were the Special Staff of the Minister of Culture for Protocol and Household Affairs, Rachmanda Primayuda; the Director of Cultural Facilities and Infrastructure, Feri Arlius; and the Head of the Regional Cultural Preservation Centre III for West Sumatra, Nurmatias.
Through the aid distributed, the Ministry of Culture hopes that the recovery process can proceed smoothly so that the social, cultural, and spiritual functions of the site remain protected. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to continue to be present and ensure the protection and sustainability of historic sites as an important part of the nation’s collective memory.