Ministry of Culture to revitalise cultural sites in North Maluku

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Culture will revitalise cultural sites in North Maluku as part of efforts to protect historical landmarks and provide historical education facilities for the public.

“The Ministry of Culture will carry out revitalisation efforts at a number of sites that have become cultural heritage, including in Ternate and Tidore,” said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, as quoted in a ministry press release received in Jakarta on Saturday.

He said that Ternate bears the traces of Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist, explorer, and expert in geography, anthropology, and biology.

This potential could be utilised to develop educational facilities for history and science.

In addition, North Maluku possesses important historical relics such as Fort Oranje, Fort Kalamata, and the heritage of the Sultanates of Ternate, Tidore, Jailolo, and Bacan.

The Minister of Culture said that North Maluku also played an important role in the history of the Nusantara spice trade.

He stated that North Maluku’s cultural wealth is reflected in the philosophy of Moloku Kie Raha, or the “Federation/Sultanate of the Four Mountains in Maluku”, as well as the various customs and languages that thrive within North Maluku society.

The Minister of Culture invited the newly installed leadership of the North Maluku Family Association (HIKMU) for the 2026–2031 period to intensify efforts to preserve and advance North Maluku’s culture.

“The central government, regional governments, indigenous communities, cultural communities, community organisations, the younger generation, and various stakeholders all have an important role in ensuring that Indonesia’s cultural wealth continues to live, develop, and be passed on to future generations,” he said.