Malaysia Islamic Art and Design festival wins Indonesia government support

MALAYSIA, 24 JULY 2026 —

Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia will formally back the Malaysia Islamic Art and Design festival, the first regional platform dedicated to Malay-Islamic art and design heritage.

Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya said the annual exhibition, planned for November 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, will strengthen Indonesia’s creative economy by expanding promotion, networks and cross-sector collaboration across arts, media and education. “Through this festival, Indonesia can position itself as a dynamic future hub for the creative economy,” he told a meeting with the festival organisers in Jakarta.

The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency sees the event as a strategic lever for four national KPIs: GDP growth in the creative economy, exports, investment value and employment in creative subsectors. “These are the KPIs mandated by the President, so we measure everything directly,” Teuku Riefky said. “That is what distinguishes us from other ministries.”

The festival will feature talent development programmes including education initiatives, workshops, creative residencies and a Creative Exchange lab. Gemintang K. Mallarangeng, Expert Staff for Strategic Issues, said the creative economy is envisaged as the new engine of national growth. “There should be no sectoral ego among ministries; collaboration must move toward shared goals while respecting each institution’s KPIs,” he said.

Paulina Gallardo, Director of & Advisory Ltd, said the rotating format is designed to connect artists, designers, collectors and institutions worldwide. “Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore form the most dynamic integrated market to explore,” she said. The inaugural edition will coincide with the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Brunei.

Organisers urged Jakarta to provide formal endorsement so they can present the plan to corporate sponsors. “We need formal endorsement so we can present it to potential sponsors, and we hope the event can proceed next year,” said Otis Hahijary, President of Katha Chitta, a subsidiary of Bumilangit Entertainment and & Advisory Ltd.

Teuku Riefky was accompanied at the meeting by Neli Yana, Director of Crafts, and Stephanie Uun of Katha Chitta. The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency did not disclose the value of any support package.

Related: Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif · Malaysia