Padang, 8 August 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya expressed full support for Padang’s candidacy as a UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) City of Gastronomy. This commitment was demonstrated through his attendance at Bajamba (a communal dining tradition of Minangkabau culture).
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf - Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menghadiri tradisi makan malam Bajamba, Padang, Jumat (08/08/2025).
“There is tremendous creative economy potential in West Sumatra, especially in Padang, a region with strong cultural roots. The Bajamba tradition is widely known for its uniqueness. If culture is the upstream driver, then innovation and technology must become the downstream enablers so the creative industries—particularly the culinary subsector—can continue to grow,” said Minister Teuku Riefky after the dinner at Rumah Gadang Baiturrahmah, Friday, 8 August 2025.
Bajamba (a communal dining tradition) is a Minangkabau cultural practice in which several people sit in a circle and share dishes from a single container. The food is served only after traditional leaders deliver customary sayings (pepatah and petitih). Minister Teuku Riefky praised Bajamba as a reflection of the deep cultural identity of the Minangkabau people.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“For creative industry products from West Sumatra, I am confident they can go global. There are many aspects we need to prepare so that the products and the human resources behind them remain competitive. Both the Central Government and Regional Government must play a role in expanding access to funding, including grants, bank financing, and investment opportunities through business matching,” he added.
The Bajamba dinner was part of the 356th anniversary celebration of Padang City and served as a key gathering for stakeholders supporting Padang’s aspiration to become a City of Gastronomy. The visit reflects the Ministry’s commitment to recognizing regional creative economy potential and ensuring equitable development across Indonesia.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“I believe every city has its own strengths, and each region must improve continuously. In Padang, everyone knows that culinary arts stand out as a leading creative subsector—Padang cuisine is undeniably delicious. If we aspire to greater fiscal and financial capacity for development, collaboration is needed to mobilize all the potential that aligns with Padang’s vision,” said Padang Mayor Fadly Amran.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Joining Minister Teuku Riefky at the Bajamba dinner, accompanied by traditional Rabab music, were Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Head Secretary of the Creative Economy Agency Dessy Ruhati; Deputy for Creative Economy Strategic Development Cecep Rukendi; and Special Advisor to the Minister for Marketing Systems and Infrastructure Septriana Tangkary. Also present were board members of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI), representatives of ICCN, and other invited guests.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau of Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy
