Indonesia embraces the return of plundered treasures and artefacts from the Dutch government, with about 828 cultural items having been returned to Indonesia from the Netherlands as of mid-December 2024, a recent report by The Straits Times reveals.
The Indonesian Heritage Agency says the repatriation of hundreds of pillaged treasures is part of Indonesia’s effort in reclaiming parts of its history lost to looting under Dutch colonial rule from the late 17th century up to its independence in 1945.
The returned treasures and artefacts represent mosaics of tradition, culture and craftsmanship such as jewellery, textiles, and weapons.
The Netherland government has pledged to return cultural artefacts that had been stolen during more than three centuries of Dutch colonial rule, based on a 2020 recommendation from a government advisory committee.
Strong diplomatic ties
Indonesia’s strong diplomatic ties with the Dutch played a key role in negotiations, starting with a 2017 cultural agreement, according to I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, head of the Indonesian Collection Repatriation Team in the Netherlands.
“The significance of this is to demonstrate to the international community that Indonesia is capable of having these objects returned,” Wesaka Puja said as quoted by AFP on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Dwi Cahyono an archeologist said, among the returned items are three Hindu-Buddhist sculptures depicting deities taken from a 13th century temple in Singosari Kingdom in Java. The sculpture, a Ganesha, is one of only a few in the world.
However, it is believed thousands of stolen cultural items are believed to remain abroad in the Netherlands and other countries, and needed more research to bring them back home.
Dwi said, while no further repatriations from the Dutch are slated, he hopes to see more works making their way back in the coming years.
“I still look forward to the return of more assets, and this remains a priority, as these objects are crucial in strengthening our cultural heritage,” he said.
