Culture Minister Fadli Zon announced an extensive revitalization of museums and cultural heritage sites during a public lecture organized by Media Indonesia at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta. The minister explained that the program follows a direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto aimed at unlocking the economic value of Indonesia’s traditions. According to RRI.co.id, Zon stressed that cultural assets must move beyond introduction abroad to become actively enjoyed elements within a broader cultural economy.
The initiative focuses on upgrading exhibitions and displays at museums operated by provincial, district and municipal governments in addition to select privately owned institutions. Fadli Zon identified opportunities for revenue generation through merchandise linked to these sites as well as expanded exhibition activities to support their operational sustainability. He highlighted traditional cuisine, textiles, music and film as cultural products with strong potential to engage wider domestic and international markets.
Ongoing work at Borobudur Temple continues while plans call for revitalizing 218 temple structures at the Prambanan complex along with sites at Plaosan and Mendut. Traditional palaces in Solo and areas of Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Maluku will also receive attention under the program. RRI.co.id reported that these projects seek to improve governance, infrastructure and overall destination appeal through coordination with tourism and investment bodies.
Data from the Ministry of Creative Economy place the sector’s contribution at roughly 94 billion dollars to gross domestic product while supporting employment for more than 26 million people. Antara News reported that creative exports reached 12.9 billion dollars in the first half of 2025, marking the highest figure in five years. The ministry has set targets to lift the sector’s GDP share toward 8 percent by the end of the decade.
UNESCO lists 10 World Heritage sites in Indonesia including six cultural locations while 16 intangible cultural heritage elements carry international recognition from the organization. The Ministry of Culture registered 514 new intangible items in 2025 alone, lifting the national total to 2,727 according to its records. Fadli Zon has described this inventory as a foundation for innovation, cultural tourism and long-term social resilience.
Fadli Zon stated, “We hope that our cultural assets will not only be introduced abroad, but also enjoyed and become part of the cultural economy.” He added, “Our cultural capital can serve not only as a binding force for our nation, but also as an engine of economic growth.” The minister’s comments at the October 17 lecture reinforce ongoing collaboration between the Culture Ministry and state investment entities to treat heritage as living economic resources.
