Jakarta, May 16, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Irene Umar, shared her views on the urgency of local Intellectual Property (IP) as a key driver for the development of Indonesia’s creative industry. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of collective ownership and public appreciation so that local IPs can gain national value and eventually expand internationally.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, spoke during the Mastermind Panel “IP is Indonesia’s Next Oil” at Manager Fest 2026, held at Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, FX Sudirman, Jakarta, on Saturday (16/5/2026).
“Indonesia is not lacking identity; in fact, we have an abundance of identities. This is precisely why cross-subsector collaboration must be united and possess strong market value. The challenge lies in how we introduce, manage, and develop local IPs that can be loved nationally, while also accelerating them into valuable assets that must be protected and capable of competing globally,” said the Deputy Minister during the Mastermind Panel “IP is Indonesia’s Next Oil” at Manager Fest 2026 in Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, FX Sudirman, Jakarta, on Saturday (16/5).
The Deputy Minister explained that strengthening local IPs requires support from an integrated creative ecosystem involving the government, academia, the private sector, communities, media, and financial institutions. Each stakeholder, she noted, plays a significant role in expanding showcase opportunities for local IPs created by Indonesia’s younger generation so they can become more widely recognized by the public.
“Indonesia’s culture can serve as a source code or source of inspiration for the development of local IPs, as demonstrated by Desa Timun. The Ministry of Creative Economy continuously provides stages and spaces for local IPs to gain visibility, ensuring they are not confined to limited exposure that makes it difficult for the public to recognize and appreciate them. From there, a creative ecosystem can be built and allowed to grow,” she continued.
Documentation by the Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The event, themed “Shape The Shift,” also featured Andrey Noelfry Tarigan from INFIA Corp as a speaker. He highlighted the importance of local IPs building direct relationships with audiences and communities so their popularity extends beyond social media and evolves into sustainable businesses.
“What is the value of followers for a local IP on social media if they cannot directly engage with the target market? Whatever local IP is being managed must be commercialized so it can build and shape relationships with communities while monetizing across platforms. That is how local IPs become stronger and grow into more sustainable businesses,” said Andrey Noelfry.
Meanwhile, Dewi Gontha, representing Java Festival Production, shared her experience in building the event IP Java Jazz Festival. According to her, a music festival should not merely function as a concert platform, but also evolve into an experience that integrates multiple creative subsectors and connects different generations.
Documentation by the Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“Java Jazz does not simply sell a music festival, but an experience. That is why the festival has grown into a cultural space that brings together communities, brands, and various creative collaborations. In this way, an event IP can continue to live and develop while remaining relevant across generations,” said Dewi Gontha.
The discussion, moderated by Arif Hakim (Strategy Director, Fractals of Rethoric), became increasingly interactive during the question-and-answer session. Topics discussed included the lack of appreciation for local IPs at the national level, the need to mature the domestic market, educational support for music promoters and local creators, and the competitiveness of local IPs against international IPs.
Manager Fest 2026 was initiated as a response to significant changes in the world of work, aiming to strengthen the readiness of professionals through enhanced insights, skills, and cross-subsector collaborative networks. Through sustained synergy, it is hoped that more local IPs will grow into globally recognized brands with strong characteristics and distinct Indonesian cultural value.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
