The 5th World Conference on Creative Economy
No: SP/WCCE/EN7/2026
Jakarta, 22 Oktober 2026 – The comic industry in Indonesia holds tremendous potential. However, there are issues that require greater attention, such as distribution and regulatory gaps, as discussed in the session “The Ultimate Indonesian Comic Debate” by Malaka Books during The 5th World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) 2026.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Wamen Ekraf), Irene Umar, emphasized that the comic industry must be viewed as a high-value economic asset based on Intellectual Property (IP), not merely as visual entertainment. According to her, the potential for monetizing comic IP is vast, ranging from physical merchandise and collectible toys to cross-media adaptations such as animation and video games.
“The comic industry has enormous potential. We cannot view comics solely through the lens of print and digital formats. Their intellectual property can be developed into various product forms with different layers of monetization. Therefore, we also need to change the public’s perception of comics and view the industry’s potential more comprehensively,” said Irene during a forum held at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, on Thursday (10/22).
Gideon Kamang, a comics researcher from RMIT, highlighted logistical and distribution barriers as the main challenges to the growth of the national comics industry. According to him, resolving these issues requires a regulatory approach capable of ensuring equitable market access beyond major urban areas.
“If I had to point to one thing that could have a significant impact on the transformation of Indonesia’s comics ecosystem, in my opinion, it is regulation that ensures equitable distribution. This equitable distribution must include geographic access so that creative economy actors—especially comic artists—have a fair opportunity to reach the market and develop their work,” said Gideon.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
In response to these challenges, the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy emphasized that integrated data collection is the cornerstone for developing targeted policies. Mapping the comic ecosystem must cover the entire supply chain—from paper supply, printing, and logistics to distribution efficiency, as well as tax and copyright management. This measurable data is crucial for strengthening the government’s case in advocating for regulations that support the creative industry across ministries.
“If we don’t have data, how can we advocate for the industry’s needs? I urge everyone to work together to build a robust database so that the industry’s potential and challenges can be mapped out concretely,” Irene asserted.
This interactive discussion also featured diverse perspectives from key players in the national comic ecosystem, including Faza Meonk (creator of Si Juki), Rizqi R. Mosmarth (Secretary General of the Indonesian Comics Association), Eno Bening (Cleansound Media), and Prasetya Dwicahya (Co-founder of The Reading Chamber), moderated by Abigail Limuria and Gania Citta Irlanie from Malaka Books. The panelists agreed that strengthening literacy from an early age, reducing production costs, and fostering synergy between government policies and business readiness are key to the sustainability of Indonesia’s comic industry.
Under the theme “Inclusively Creative: Collective Continuity,” WCCE 2026—taking place October 21–23, 2026, in Jakarta—reaffirms the importance of the interconnection between regulations, copyright protection, and market expansion so that national comic works can reign supreme in their own country while also breaking into global markets.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Kepala Biro Komunikasi
Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif
Informasi lebih lanjut mengenai WCCE, kunjungi:
Website wcce.id dan ekraf.go.id/news
Instagram @wcceid
Event deck ekr.af/wccegeneraldeck
Media kit ekr.af/mediakitwcce2026
Youtube Official WCCE Channel - Inclusively Creative
World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE)
