On Friday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo posted a video on social media. After listening to a snippet of rock band Slank’s song “Kamu Harus Pulang”, he said, “Let us preserve its existence, and may the world acknowledge our music more.”

The caption on the post reads, “Our life is always accompanied by music, for life is dull without music.”

Selamat Hari Musik Nasional, 9 Maret 2018. Rentang musik Nasional dari Sabang-Merauke mencerminkan rasa toleransi, kerukunan & keharmonisan. Musik kita jaga keberadaanya. Semoga eksistensi musik nasional lbh diakui keberadaanya secara global. Hidup tanpa musik terasa hambar -Jkw pic.twitter.com/uUmEizI32A

— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) March 9, 2018

Jokowi also stated his wish for the first edition of Konferensi Musik Indonesia or KAMI (Indonesian Music Conference), held in Ambon, Maluku from Wednesday to Friday: “May a national music ecosystem be achieved, one that eliminates obstacles, so that Indonesian music can be more appreciated. Happy National Music Day, and may the conference go well,” he said.

Read also: Ambon to hold inaugural national music conference in March

The event was organized by singer Glenn Fredly as committee head and supported by Koalisi Seni Indonesia (Indonesian Art Coalition), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the sustainable development and support of the arts in Indonesia.

Up to 350 delegates ranging from promoters, singers, musicians and producers to representatives of music labels and festival exhibitors were invited to discuss topics related to the music industry. Representatives of the Finance Ministry, the Environment and Forestry Ministry, the Communications and Information Ministry, the Education and Culture Ministry and the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) were also present at the event.

Themed “Raya Nada untuk Indonesia” (National Tunes for Indonesia), the conference held its closing ceremony Friday and declared a 12-point action plan for Indonesia’s music ecosystem.

The points include the formulation of integrated data collection, the role of music in national education and Indonesia’s culture diplomacy, gender equality enacted through gender-sensitive laws to the establishment of proper infrastructure for music performances, education and production.

Glenn said the enthusiasm from fellow musicians and stakeholders at the event was astonishing. “They provided valuable insight from each field, which was then formulated into the 12 points of the declaration,” he said.

At the closing ceremony, the declaration was formally read out and then performed musically by Ambonese hip hop group Manumata and singer Calvin Julian.

“We plan to submit these recommendations to the government to state that the music ecosystem is ready to work alongside the government to propel the music industry,” he said.

Glenn noted the problems of piracy and copyright infringements in the industry. “The conference was held to speak about music industry problems and to evaluate the ecosystem. Among KAMI, Bekraf and the private sector, we wish to form an ongoing alliance,” he said. “It is an honor for me that all parties participated in the event.”

Read also: Glenn Fredly, Siti Nurbaya to collaborate in forest protection project

Music journalist Adib Hidayat, who had been assigned as a moderator at the conference, said the musicians and stakeholders present were free to state the problems they face. “We have received some important input. Though it is not yet perfect, as surely not all musicians and singers could attend, those who were present were considered to be representing their peers,” he said.

Adib noted that one of the most important commitments from the government was stated by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani as a keynote speaker, namely that each city in Indonesia would have its own music hall.

Singer Tulus, who was at the conference, said the event had brought hope.

“This conference should be held annually. Every six months would be even better given the rapid progress of the world,” he said.

He added that economic profit was not the sole focus, for the government could also foster and nurture the country’s cultural products. “I believe that Indonesia could be a superpower with our cultures,” he said. (kes)