RRI.CO.ID, Surakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, officially issued the Ministerial Decree on the Management of the Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat Cultural Heritage Area, Sunday, 18 January 2026. The event, held at the historic Surakarta Palace in Central Java, marked a key step in preserving one of Indonesia’s most important royal heritage sites.

The decree, numbered 8 of 2026, designates the palace as a National Cultural Heritage Site and outlines responsibilities for its protection and sustainable use. It underscores Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to balance heritage conservation with modern cultural development.

Minister Fadli Zon stated that safeguarding the Surakarta Palace is not merely preserving the past but ensuring its continuity as a living cultural space. He stated that protection, development, and utilization must comply with national regulations as a form of accountability and cultural stewardship.

Under the new decree, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Panembahan Agung Tedjowulan was appointed as the official executor for the protection and management of the palace complex. His role includes coordinating with local governments, maintaining transparency, and overseeing the effective use of the site’s resources.

The Surakarta Palace complex spans three key areas containing at least 74 historic structures, including libraries holding rare manuscripts and living cultural traditions. It is also home to more than 35 recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, ranging from performing arts and traditional crafts to rituals and knowledge systems.

In his remarks, Surakarta Mayor, Respati Achmad Ardianto, expressed gratitude for the government’s commitment to preserving the heart of Javanese culture. He noted that the palace’s sustainability serves as an inspiration for the city to strengthen its local cultural programs.