Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture is strengthening the role of museums as strategic institutions that preserve national heritage, promote education, and support Indonesia’s cultural economy. During the International Museum Day 2026 Cultural Oration at the National Museum in Jakarta, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that museums are not only spaces for historical preservation but also platforms that shape national identity and social cohesion. He highlighted Indonesia’s cultural diversity, including 1,340 ethnic groups, 718 local languages, and thousands of recognized cultural heritage elements that reinforce the country’s global cultural significance.
The government is also positioning museums as key contributors to the creative economy by supporting industries such as film, animation, gaming, fashion, culinary arts, and digital content inspired by Indonesian heritage. The ministry reported that more than 4.3 million visitors attended museums and cultural heritage destinations managed by the government in 2025, with expectations for continued growth. In addition, Indonesia continues to strengthen heritage protection through museum revitalization, proposed museum legislation, and the repatriation of more than 28,000 fossil and archival collections from the Netherlands.
