TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several artifacts or Objects of Suspected Cultural Heritage (ODCB) from the United States have returned to Indonesia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono handed over six ODCBs to Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at the Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 13, 2024. The ODCBs that were handed over consisted of five bronze statues and a stone relief, successfully repatriated by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in New York, in collaboration with the District Attorney of New York (DANY).

Returning Artifacts as a Milestone in Cultural Heritage Protection

In his remarks, Minister Sugiono stated that this event was an important milestone in Indonesia's efforts to protect cultural heritage and strengthen international cooperation. He is committed to bringing home Indonesian artifacts abroad. According to him, these six ODCBs are historical items of high cultural value, much higher than their nominal value.

"In the future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Indonesian Representative offices abroad will continue to strive to bring back Indonesian artifacts scattered throughout the world," said Sugiono.

After Minister of Culture Fadli Zon received the artifacts, the six items will be taken to the National Museum of Indonesia for further study. "The handover of the ODCB today can be seen as a kick-off for the collaborative cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture in the years to come," said Fadli Zon in his speech. He also emphasized Indonesia's dedication to claiming the nation's property rights and preserving historical and cultural assets for future generations.

Repatriation of Cultural Heritage Objects

The Indonesian government, through the cultural heritage repatriation team, last September also received hundreds of cultural art artifacts from the Dutch government through a repatriation project that has been ongoing for the past three years. The repatriation last September was the second wave of the repatriation project.

Hundreds of artifacts in the form of a number of large statues, sculptures of various materials, paintings, weapons, jewelry and equipment and many more. Some of these artifacts are still on display to the public at the National Museum of Indonesia until the end of this year.

Apart from the repatriation carried out by the government, recently 15 skulls of the Tanimbar Tribe, Maluku have also been returned to the community. Our Cultural Foundation, led by Menucha Latumaerissa, a Dutch citizen of Maluku descent, took the initiative to return the 15 Tanimbar Tribe skulls that were taken by KNIL soldiers in 1912.