Bogor District, West Java (ANTARA) - The government is currently prioritizing efforts to repatriate Indonesian historical objects that were taken abroad during the colonial era, Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said on Monday.
“The main focus is to return important artifacts with high historical value for national identity,” he added.
During a visit to a storage facility for archaeological objects owned by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Zon informed that Indonesia has formed a special team to conduct provenance research on thousands of cultural objects spread across various countries.
The countries include the Netherlands, Germany, and England.
Last year, the government managed to secure the return of 828 artifacts, and it is targeting to bring more artifacts back, including a large collection from Eugene Dubois, which is estimated to comprise 18 thousand to 32 thousand items, this year.
According to Fadli, the government has requested the return of several important artifacts, including keris belonging to national figures such as Teuku Umar, heirlooms from Nusantara kings, and unique collections such as Nogo Siluman.
“This effort is part of the commemoration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. We want these artifacts to return home and be enjoyed by the public as part of the national historical narrative,” the minister added.
He then emphasized that repatriation is not merely about the physical return of objects, but also restoring their historical context.
He explained that the artifacts will be scientifically curated and exhibited in museums with narratives based on the latest research results.
He said that this effort is an integral part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy, as well as a form of respect for the history of the nation’s struggles.
“Each of these artifacts will serve as an important object of study for cultural heritage experts to deepen their understanding of their historical context,” he added.
The government repatriated 828 cultural heritage objects to Indonesia by the end of 2024, including the Pita Maha Collection, the Lombok Treasure, and 68 objects from the Rotterdam Museum.
In the future, the government is hoping to make the repatriation program more systematic with the help of the Ministry of Culture and the Directorate General of Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation.
