Jokowi Reportedly Prepares Huge Grants for Arts and Culture

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will provide overwhelming support for arts and culture sector in his second term in office, said an Indonesian musician Oppie Andaresta after meeting the President along with other fellows in Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Wednesday, July 17.

“In general, Bapak [President] promises to give more support than in previous [administration],” said Oppie.

According to the musician, Jokowi deemed artists and musicians have a vital role in the country. Moreover, Indonesia is renowned for its diverse culture. The government, therefore, planned to grant endowment fund as a form of support but Oppie claimed to have not known the detail yet.

Another musician Yovie Widianto expressed appreciation upon the President’s intention in flourishing arts and culture. He mentioned that the budget program is pretty high at around trillions. The fund, he added, will be distributed next year.

“It will boost power for Indonesian creative. Of course, this must be well appreciated. Hopefully, the program’s procedure is not too complicated yet clear so all parties in the creative industry can develop together,” Yovie said.

The Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) Triawan Munaf affirmed that President Jokowi talked of endowment fund during a meeting with national artists. He said the program is still in the process of discussing. “The management mechanism is still being reviewed. Bekraf will definitely not be the responsible party,” Triawan concluded.

FRISKI RIANA