Jakarta, 10 November 2025 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency fully supports the Malaysia Islamic Art and Design festival as a strategic platform to strengthen regional collaboration that accelerates the growth of Indonesia’s creative economy. This support is expected to create a multiplier effect for creative industries and contribute to achieving national targets in creative economy GDP growth, exports, investment, and employment.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menerima audiensi dari Tim Malaysia Islamic Art and Design, di Kantor Kementerian Ekraf, Jakarta, Senin (10/11/2025).
This statement was delivered by the Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, during a meeting with the Malaysia Islamic Art and Design team at Autograph Tower, Jakarta, on Monday, 10 November 2025. Malaysia Islamic Art and Design aims to become the first cultural platform in Southeast Asia dedicated to elevating Malay-Islamic artistic and design heritage.
“The Ministry of Creative Economy has a responsibility to accelerate progress by expanding promotion and networks that allow each creative subsector to access global markets. Through this festival, Indonesia can position itself as a dynamic future hub for the creative economy, while strengthening cross-sector collaboration in the arts, media, and education,” said the Minister.
The Malaysia Islamic Art and Design festival plays an important role in enhancing creative economy subsectors, particularly through talent development programs such as education initiatives, workshops, creative residencies, and the Creative Exchange lab.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“There are four Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) mandated to the Ministry of Creative Economy: GDP growth of the creative economy, creative economy exports, investment value, and employment in creative subsectors. This is what distinguishes us from other ministries because everything is measured directly through the KPIs mandated by the President. Therefore, we support collaboration with Malaysia Islamic Art and Design as it will positively impact those KPIs,” the Minister added.
Echoing this, Gemintang K. Mallarangeng, Expert Staff for Strategic Issues, emphasized that the Ministry continues to promote cultural exchange and advance the creative economy as the new engine of growth.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“The philosophy of the Ministry of Creative Economy is to serve as the new engine of national economic growth. There should be no sectoral ego among ministries; cross-ministerial and cross-institution collaboration must move toward shared goals without hindering each institution’s KPIs,” Gemintang stated.
Malaysia Islamic Art and Design is designed as an annual art and creative industry exhibition showcasing the heritage and contemporary practices of the Malay-Islamic world, rotating among Malay-speaking countries. The event is planned for November 2026, coinciding with the 80th birthday celebration of the Sultan of Brunei, with the venue set in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
“When discussing Malay culture, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore naturally form the most dynamic integrated market to explore. Our format is to establish Malaysia Islamic Art and Design as an annual art and creative industry exhibition rotating from one country to another. Its purpose is to connect artists, designers, collectors, and institutions from around the world to foster new relationships and collaborations,” said Paulina Gallardo, Director, & Advisory Ltd.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The organizers attending the meeting also expressed hope for official support from the Indonesian Government through endorsements or collaboration to align their vision and strategy with Indonesia’s national creative economy priorities. The festival is built on the foundational values of wisdom (arif), grace (santun), and strength (kasa) — reflecting a dynamic and global Malay-Islamic cultural identity.
“We need formal endorsement so that we can present it to corporate sponsors, and we hope this event can proceed next year,” added Otis Hahijary, President of Katha Chitta (a subsidiary of Bumilangit Entertainment and & Advisory Ltd).
During the meeting, the Minister was accompanied by the Director of Crafts, Neli Yana. Also present was Stephanie Uun, representing Katha Chitta.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau of Communications
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
