MPR Deputy Emphasises Importance of Accurate Data - Active Role of Citizens in Advancing Culture

Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Lestari Moerdijat (Rerie), emphasised the importance of data-based development using accurate information and encouraged the active role of the cultural sector in national development. “Encouraging active participation from the public and cultural actors in the development process is vital for strengthening the cultural basis of society. Accurate cultural data is essential as the foundation for implementing appropriate policies in the future,” said Rerie in her statement on Sunday (26/4/2026). Since 2025, the Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) and the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) have officially established a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the provision, utilisation, and development of cultural statistics data. The strengthening of the cultural data base aligns with improved management of national cultural assets. By 2026, the number of national-level cultural heritage sites has surged to 85 compared to previous records, bringing the total national cultural heritage sites to 313, while intangible cultural heritage has reached 2,727 entities. Furthermore, Rerie reminded that providing accurate data would be meaningless without active participation from the public and cultural actors. Therefore, added Rerie, various cultural preservation efforts must also be accompanied by utilisation to provide economic value to society. Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the DPR RI, also encouraged the digitalisation of cultural heritage as a concrete step in building a data ecosystem accessible to the public. Furthermore, the senior member of the NasDem Party’s High Council hopes that, armed with accurate cultural sector data, future policies will be able to produce sustainable cultural development that benefits the wider society.