Indonesia's Historic Cement Factory to Become Heritage Tourism Destination

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indarung I factory is projected to become a heritage tourism destination following the declaration of the factory as a cultural heritage based on the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology No. 54/M/2023 on February 27, 2023.

“To preserve and liven up this site, as well as provide positive impacts towards the citizen, cultural activity is needed, so this area should not stop at becoming a cultural heritage,” said the Director of Indarung Heritage Society (IHS) Aidil Usman,  in Padang, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

The director relayed the information in the middle of Alek Nagari, Lubuk Kilangan’s festival inside the Indarung I Factory area. According to Aidil, the factory was the first cement company in Southeast Asia and was built on March 18, 1910. One of its supporting facilities, PLTA Rasak Bungo was built in 1908.

Indarung Cement Factory’s Local Wisdom 

Prior to nationalization, the factory was called NV Nederlands Indische Portland Cement. From a cultural aspect, the people living in Lubuk Kilangan, surrounding the factory area, have local wisdom to support cultural activities. Contemporary arts and other cultural activities are also encouraged. Alek Nagari event in Lubuk Kilangan was also one of the means to liven up the cultural heritage site.

During Alek Nagari, various traditional arts and crafts were displayed, including marandang (making rendang) and malamang (making lemang) to welcome visitors. According to Aidil, after being declared a national cultural heritage, there were threats of vandalism and iron thefts looming over the factory which prompted serious efforts to preserve its condition. “Cultural and art activities may be a solution, including supporting the effort to declare the site as UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he added.

As revealed by the President Director of PT Semen Padang, Asri Muktar Dt. Tumanggung Basa, Indarung 1 Factory will be submitted to be declared a world heritage. “We hope for support from all stakeholders while submitting the factory to be declared a world heritage, realizing Indarung I as a cement heritage tourism destination known around the world,” he said.

ANTARA / NAJLA NUR FAUZIYAH

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