Culture minister visits 18th-Century Kuto Besak Fortress for planned preservation project

Culture Minister Fadli Zon (right) and Palembang City Head Ratu Dewa (left) inspect the Kuto Besak Fort (BKB) in Palembang, South Sumatra, Friday (Sept. 11, 2026). The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Palembang City Government and the II/Sriwijaya Regional Military Command, plans to revitalize the historic fortress—originally constructed in 1780—and review its classification to officially designate it as a national cultural heritage site. (ANTARA FOTO/Nova Wahyudi/agr/M052)

Culture Minister Fadli Zon (fourth from right) speaks with II/Sriwijaya Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ujang Darwis (third from left), Palembang City Head Ratu Dewa (second from right), South Sumatra Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency Head Romi Hidayat (bottom right), and other officials while inspecting Kuto Besak Fort (BKB) in Palembang, South Sumatra, Friday (Sept. 11, 2026). The Ministry of Culture, alongside the Palembang City Government and the II/Sriwijaya Regional Military Command, will revitalize the historic fortress—which construction began in 1780—and review its status for designation as a national cultural heritage site. (ANTARA FOTO/Nova Wahyudi/agr/M052)

Culture Minister Fadli Zon (center) speaks with II/Sriwijaya Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ujang Darwis (left), Palembang City Head Ratu Dewa (third from right), and South Sumatra Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency Head Romi Hidayat (second from right) while inspecting Kuto Besak Fort (BKB) in Palembang, South Sumatra, Friday (Sept. 11, 2026). The Ministry of Culture, alongside the Palembang City Government and the II/Sriwijaya Regional Military Command, plans to revitalize the historic fortress—constructed beginning in 1780—and review its classification to officially designate it as a national cultural heritage site. (ANTARA FOTO/Nova Wahyudi/agr/M052)