Batu, en.SERU.co.id — The Batu City Arts Council (DKKB) is pushing for stronger legal protections and institutional support for local culture, aiming to ensure it stands as a core pillar of the city’s development rather than merely a side attraction for tourism.
In a two-hour hearing on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) with Commission B of the Batu City DPRD, DKKB Chairman Sunarto, popularly known as Cak Narto, urged lawmakers to fast-track a regional regulation (Perda) on cultural advancement and clarify the council’s legal status.
“Cultural richness should no longer be treated as just decoration or a supporting commodity for tourism,” Cak Narto said.
He highlighted that Batu possesses abundant artistic traditions and cultural heritage spread across its villages and urban wards. However, this potential is often hampered by inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent funding, and weak institutional support.
To address these long-standing issues, DKKB presented a comprehensive roadmap: the Seven Strategic Agendas for Advancing Batu City’s Culture (2026–2030). The key proposals include:
- Accelerating the passage of the Perda on Cultural Advancement
- Formally legalizing DKKB’s organizational structure and governance
- Establishing an independent Batu Cultural Advancement Fund
- Developing the Batu Cultural Hub as a dedicated creative space for artists
- Revitalizing village-level cultural planning (PPKD)
- Creating systematic regeneration programs for senior maestros and young artists
- Building the Batu Cultural Data Center for digital documentation and research
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Cak Narto also emphasized the need for clear legal standing for DKKB so it can independently advocate for, facilitate, and develop the local arts ecosystem. He proposed anchoring the council’s position through a Mayor’s Regulation (Perwali) or specific clauses in the upcoming Perda, including clear rules on leadership succession, coordination with city government, secretariat support, and transparent budget mechanisms.
Commission B of the DPRD responded positively, agreeing that economic growth through tourism must go hand-in-hand with the protection of local identity. The commission pledged to incorporate stronger provisions on cultural protection, utilization, and financing in the draft regulation.
As an immediate outcome of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish the Batu City Cultural Advancement Collaboration Forum, which will bring together the DPRD, city government, DKKB, academics, and grassroots cultural representatives.
In the short term, the parties will prepare three key documents: a Letter of Intent (LoI) on cultural governance, a Joint Decree formalizing the collaboration forum, and a shared Roadmap for Cultural Advancement toward Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045.
“Kebudayaan is a long-term investment, not a burden on the regional budget. Culture is not an expense of development, it is an investment in civilization. While physical infrastructure connects regions, culture maintains connections between generations,” Cak Narto concluded. (dik/ono)
