The Ministry of Culture Receives Bung Hatta's Cap, Fadli Zon: Bung Karno's Cap Will Follow

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon when receiving Bung Hatta's skull at the Museum for the Proclamation Script (doc Kemenbud)

JAKARTA — The Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) received a skullcap belonging to the Indonesian proclaimer Mohammad Hatta from the Bung Hatta family. The handover was made directly by Halidah Hatta, the youngest daughter of the Indonesian proclaimer.

The skullcap is an important addition to the museum's collection documenting the birth of the Republic of Indonesia. Soon, Bung Karno's family will also hand over Sukarno's skullcap, completing the collection of memorabilia from the two proclaimers.

"Today we received Bung Hatta's skullcap, handed over by Mrs. Halidah Hatta. In the next few days, Bung Karno's skullcap will also follow. We thank the two proclaimer families for entrusting this historical object to the museum," said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon during a tour of the museum, as quoted in a written statement on Tuesday, October 14.

Fadli explained that this handover is part of the revitalization of the Museum of the Formulation of the Proclamation Text ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. "This revitalization is also accompanied by various exhibitions, such as the stamp exhibition of the nation's founders last August, and the ongoing exhibition of works by Henk Ngantung, a painter whose work is closely associated with the proclamation," he said.

He emphasized the importance of this museum as a historical narrative space where national figures formulated the proclamation text. "This is where the proclamation text was formulated on August 16, 1945, by Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, Ahmad Subardjo, Sayuti Melik, and other figures. This place is a witness to the birth of the spirit of independence," Fadli emphasized.

Going forward, the Ministry of Culture will enrich the museum with books, documents, and interactive technology to make it more engaging for visitors, especially the younger generation. "We will present a digital reading of the proclamation text by Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, as well as various other interactive content," he added.

Accompanying Minister Fadli were the Head of Museums and Cultural Heritage, Abikusno, and the Executive Director of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Business Management Agency, Esti Nurjadin.

Minister of Culture Fadli hopes that the presence of Bung Hatta's cap will bring new enthusiasm to the museum. "The cap is a symbol of nationalism. Hopefully, the presence of this collection will awaken the spirit of struggle and inspire the younger generation to love this nation," he concluded.

The handover of Mohammad Hatta's cap marks the first step in strengthening the historical collection at the Museum of the Formulation of the Proclamation Text, while also emphasizing the Ministry of Culture's commitment to preserving and opening public access to the nation's historical heritage.