Jakarta, February 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: The Ministry of Culture has reported the revitalization of 152 cultural heritage sites and museums across Indonesia in 2025, marking a major step in efforts to safeguard and promote the nation’s cultural legacy.
Restu Gunawan, Director General of Cultural and Tradition Protection at the ministry, said the achievement forms part of a broader national strategy focused on the restoration and revitalization of heritage assets nationwide. He shared the update during a hearing of the Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Preservation with Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday.
Gunawan noted that the revitalized sites include prominent institutions such as the Gua Harimau Museum and the Belitung Maritime Museum, among others. Beyond museums, the ministry is also restoring key cultural heritage sites, including the Kayu Jao Mosque in Solok District, the Gunongan Site in Aceh, and the Arjuna Temple, as well as additional locations managed by Cultural Preservation Centers across various regions.
He emphasized that the progress has been strengthened through collaboration with the private sector under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. In 2025, such partnerships supported projects including the construction and renovation of the Sanggabuwana Stage at the Surakarta Palace and the renovation of the Ranggawarsita Tomb in Klaten.
According to Gunawan, heritage restoration has traditionally been limited to one structure per year due to budgetary and human resource constraints. However, cooperation with private partners and the involvement of specially trained vocational high school (SMK) students have enabled a more efficient and accelerated restoration process.
“This collaboration provides a practical solution to speed up preservation efforts despite limited budgets and personnel,” he said.
Gunawan also reported strong performance by the Public Service Agency (BLU) for Museums and Cultural Heritage, which exceeded its 2025 revenue target. BLU revenue reached Rp62 billion (US$3.5 million), or 145.4 percent of the Rp57 billion (US$3.2 million) target.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans to further optimize the responsible use of cultural heritage sites and museums to generate economic and social benefits for local communities while preserving Indonesia’s cultural values.
“The potential of our cultural heritage and museums remains vast, and we are committed to developing them sustainably,” Gunawan concluded.
