Jakarta, August 13, 2026 – Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, encouraged stronger collaboration with Indonesia’s national music industry players to expand the exposure of Indonesian music in global markets. He made the statement while receiving an audience with the music group The Panturas at the Ministry of Creative Economy office in Jakarta, Thursday (13/8).
Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, received an audience with The Panturas to strengthen collaboration and support the development of the music subsector within Indonesia’s creative economy ecosystem at the Ministry of Creative Economy office, Jakarta, Thursday (13/8/2026).
The meeting discussed potential areas of collaboration, including The Panturas California Tour 2026 and the documentary project Reverb-Rock Pilgrimage.
The Panturas is a surf-rock group from Jatinangor, Bandung, that combines global musical characteristics with Indonesian identity. Since releasing the albums Mabuk Laut (2018), Ombak Banyu Asmara (2021), and Galura Tropikalia (2024), The Panturas has continued to expand its presence onto international stages, including a performance at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.
The Minister of Creative Economy said The Panturas’ journey demonstrates how Indonesian music can showcase the richness of local identity while remaining competitive internationally. Its surf-rock sound combined with local elements, including the use of Sundanese lyrics, can serve as part of cultural diplomacy while creating economic opportunities for national creative industry players.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“The Panturas demonstrates that Indonesian music can bring local identity to the global stage. We see this potential not only from the perspective of performances, but also as part of efforts to open market access, expand networks, and strengthen the position of Indonesian music within the global creative economy ecosystem. The Ministry of Creative Economy is ready to provide support through collaboration with relevant programs and by expanding the promotion of Indonesian creative works,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
The Panturas California Tour 2026 is part of the group’s 10th-anniversary celebration. Scheduled for September 22–26, 2026, the tour will visit four cities in California: Sacramento, Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In addition to expanding its audience reach, the tour will provide The Panturas with an opportunity to build networks with audiences and music industry players in the United States.
In addition to performances, the tour will include recording sessions in Seattle and the production of a documentary documenting The Panturas’ journey in the United States. The material will cover daily activities, behind-the-scenes moments, studio sessions, and a feature-length documentary, allowing the international tour to generate added value beyond the performances themselves.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The meeting also discussed the short documentary project Reverb-Rock Pilgrimage, which explores the origins of surf-rock, cross-cultural influences, and possible traces and musical resonances of Indonesia in the development of the genre. The documentary is expected to showcase how Indonesian musicians engage in cultural dialogue with the international community while maintaining their local identity and character.
The Panturas’ Manager, Iksal Rizqi Harizal, said the project carries the concept of “Global Touch with Local Wisdom,” exploring how local wisdom can be embraced and understood from a global perspective. As part of the project, The Panturas will also perform works incorporating Sundanese cultural elements, including during the recording process. The group’s presence in the United States is not only due to the country’s association with the origins of surf culture, but also because the United States ranks fourth in terms of the number of The Panturas’ listeners.
“The Panturas is proof that a local icon can make its way onto the global stage. Through Galura Tropikalia, our full Sundanese-language album, we received attention at Fuji Rock Festival, where the album was well received. From what I have learned about breaking into the global market, there are two approaches: either become very Western or become very local and exotic,” said Iksal.
Also attending the meeting were The Panturas drummer, Surya Fikri Asshidiq, and Tour Manager, Daffa Andhika. The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Deputy for Media Creativity, Cecep Rukendi; Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Affairs, Rian Firmansyah; and Director of Music, Mohammad Amin.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
