MPR Deputy Speaker Urges Lengger Preservation to Strengthen National Identity

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Lestari Moerdijat (Rerie), has stated that preserving the Lengger Banyumas art form is not solely an effort to safeguard cultural heritage, but a strategic part of strengthening the character and national consciousness of future generations. “When we talk about Lengger Banyumasan, we are actually talking about how we preserve heritage, and more than that, it is an effort to nurture national consciousness,” Rerie said in a statement on Monday (15/6/2026). The remarks were made during a public aspiration event themed Strengthening Substantive Democracy and National Ethics, packaged as a talk show on the topic ‘Lengger Banyumas: Guarding Heritage, Nurturing National Consciousness’. The event was held at Pendopo Sipanji, Banyumas Regency, Purwokerto, Central Java, on Monday (15/6). Rerie opined that culture is the moral infrastructure of democracy. She asserted that democracy will never stand firm without cultural roots. Rerie, who is also a member of House Commission X, reminded attendees that democracy is often narrowed down to mere political contestation, elections, or power struggles. “In fact, democracy requires a deeper foundation. Democracy needs citizens who respect one another, appreciate differences, and have a sense of their culture and nation. This is the very essence of culture,” she stressed. The legislator from Central Java II electoral district quoted Article 32 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which states that the state must advance Indonesia’s national culture amidst world civilisation. Rerie emphasised that culture is not merely a complement to development, but the soul, breath, and an inseparable part of national development. Furthermore, Rerie expressed appreciation for the artists and cultural figures of Banyumas who consistently promote and preserve Lengger, including reviving the philosophy behind the dance. She also encouraged efforts to nominate Lengger as a world cultural heritage item, after it was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. “State recognition is important because it is not just an administrative record, but a form of acknowledgement that Lengger is truly an inseparable part of this nation’s journey,” she said. The senior NasDem Party official then warned that the greatest challenge today is not the disappearance of art or performances, but the loss of memory and connection between the younger generation and their own culture. “The younger generation must not lose their connection to their culture. Because by losing that connection, the nation will lose its memory,” Rerie stated. She also stressed that cultural preservation must not be burdened solely on cultural communities and artists, but must become a collective movement involving all stakeholders and society. “A great nation is one that has strong roots and is able to keep its cultural heritage alive amidst changing times,” Rerie concluded.