472 Historic Objects Including The Puputan Klungkung Keris And The Singasari Statue Are Temporarily Stored At MCB

Young Minister for Culture and Media of the Netherlands Gunay Uslu (left) and Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Hilmar Farid (right)/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Museum and Cultural Heritage (MCB) was chosen as a temporary storage area for hundreds of artifacts belonging to Indonesia from the Netherlands. A total of 472 collections of historical objects or artifacts were handed over directly from the Netherlands by representatives of Indonesia through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia on July 10, 2023. The collection includes the artwork of Bali Pita Maha, the statue of Singasari, the heirloom of the Lombok kingdom, and Keris Puputan Klungkung. The process of returning the artifacts was carried out by involving the signing of a technical arrangement document and the transfer of rights by the Deputy Minister for Culture and Media of the Netherlands, Gunay Uslu, to the Indonesian side. "“The MCB team will carry out a complete inventory and documentation and plan a special room that meets artefact maintenance and storage standards," said Acting (Plt) Head of the Ahmad Mahendra Museum and Cultural Heritage through a press release received in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, July 26. Conservation and restoration experts will also engage in the treatment process, ensure artifacts remain in good condition, and the collection's security is maintained through a strict surveillance system, including in the packing and delivery process. However, Mahendra said the storage of these objects in MCB was only temporary until the registration process was completed. He also said that the repatriation collection exhibition will take place in conjunction with the official launch of MCB this year. Through these steps, Indonesia shows a strong commitment in maintaining cultural heritage and strengthening Indonesia's cultural identity. MCB will cooperate with experts, curators, museum communities, and national cultural heritage to create knowledge products that can be accessed by everyone. "Indonesia's “Museum and Cultural Heritage are central to advancing the preservation of cultural heritage and encouraging community collaboration in maintaining and respecting the rich culture of this country," said Mahendra.

Currently, MCB is tasked with ensuring standardization in the preservation of historical collections, public services, and the use of museums and cultural heritage in good condition. Through collaboration and creativity, MCB hopes to build a future that celebrates Indonesia's diversity, creativity and wealth, one of which is through a collection of artifacts from the Netherlands which are currently being closely guarded.