We will continue to improve the cultural endowment fund based on the government's fiscal capabilitiesJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Tuesday promised to increase the cultural endowment fund to support activities for national cultural advancement.
"We will continue to improve the cultural endowment fund based on the government's fiscal capabilities," he said in his state address at the 2022 annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the joint session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The endowment fund for culture is mandated by Law No. 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture, so that communities can better implement and maintain their culture.
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The mandate was followed by the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 111 of 2021 concerning endowment funds in the field of education, which include the cultural endowment fund.
According to the regulation, cultural endowment funds can be used for programs such as the facilitation of cultural players and communities, the production of cultural activities, and media production.
On March 23, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology launched the "Indonesiana Fund" as a manifestation of the cultural endowment fund.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that as of 2022, the government has collected a budget of Rp3 trillion for the Indonesiana Fund.
Of the Rp3 trillion, some Rp185 billion has been utilized and has generated a return of Rp45 billion, with a projected additional return of Rp165 billion in 2022, the Education Ministry informed.
Furthermore, in his speech, the President also called for support for the work of local arts and traditions as well as literary and film works of young artists.
"Local arts and traditions with a national spirit must continue to be bolstered. Literary works and films by young artists must continue to be supported," he added.
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President Widodo delivered the state address before Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, former vice presidents, MPR Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, House Speaker Puan Maharani, DPD Speaker La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Anwar Usman, ministers of the Onward Indonesia cabinet, chairpersons of political parties, and other state officials.
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Translator: Gilang G, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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