Balinese Arrack has been recognized and designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Indonesia by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. This determination was stated in the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 414/P/2022 concerning the Determination of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.

In line with this and with the stipulation of Bali Gubernatorial Regulation Number 1/2020 concerning Management of Balinese Fermented or Distilled Beverages, Balinese arrack production is increasing rapidly every year, so indirectly this can bring prosperity to the Balinese arrack group. This was conveyed by the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, in his direction when opening the first celebration of Balinese Arrack Day set for January 29, virtually on Sunday (Jan 29).

This number one person in Bali stated that the arrack farmers welcomed this and various creativities will grow, starting from elegant and high-quality packaging, of course while still using a Balinese identity. Besides, his party also asked for the traditional distillation process of Balinese arrack to be maintained, and it must not be changed freely and its authenticity must be maintained.

His party encouraged all Balinese arrack business players to cooperate with farmers who produce raw materials so that they are capable and mutually beneficial for economic prosperity. To be noted, the celebration of Balinese Arrack was attended virtually by all Balinese arrack groups in Bali. For Buleleng District, the celebration was attended by the Arrack Farmer Group from Les and Bondalem Villages, Tejakula subdistrict.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Buleleng Trade, Industry, Cooperative and Small and Medium Enterprises Office, Dewa Made Sudiarta, stated that the issuance of Bali Gubernatorial Regulation No.1/2020 mandates us in order that we keep the wealth of ancestral heritages in the form of arrack and other traditional beverages to rise a pride in the product especially in Buleleng.

Sudiarta further explained that one of the efforts made to support the Bali Arrack Group is by conducting outreach, coaching and mentoring to the arrack making centers on the importance of this superior product of Balinese arrack. “We always provide assistance and coaching so that the superiority of Balinese arrack products is really maintained and sustainable, and provides benefits in the form of increased income for the community,” he concluded. (BTN/Denpost)