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MINISTER of Culture Fadli Zon is advocating for joint research between Indonesia (RI) and the Netherlands to trace the origins of the Raden Saleh collection and ancestral remains (human remains) within the Theodor Verhoeven Collection—currently held in the Netherlands—as part of efforts to expand the repatriation of historical cultural artifacts to Indonesia.
Fadli conveyed this initiative during a bilateral meeting with the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Rianne Letschert, at Indonesia House Amsterdam (IHA) on Friday (10/09), 2026.
“The Raden Saleh collection is also of great importance to Indonesia. We wish to continue research cooperation and discussions regarding other collections still in the Netherlands, including ancestral remains, so that the repatriation process can proceed based on robust historical and scientific study,” Fadli said in a press release issued by the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta on Sunday (10/11), 2026.
Both nations also reinforced their commitment to the return of the Dubois Collection—comprising 30,190 items—and 20 historical cultural artifacts to Indonesia by signing a joint transfer agreement at IHA.
The return of the Dubois Collection encompasses 29,763 objects and 427 ancestral remains associated with research on ‘Homo erectu’ (Java Man). Meanwhile, the 20 cultural artifacts being returned include the Banjarmasin Diamond, a Sikin Panjang sword from Aceh, a Quran manuscript linked to Teuku Umar, four manuscripts from the Aceh Sultanate, six Wayang Beber scrolls, a tomb panel from Aceh, and six Acehnese-style tombstones.
Since 1975, Indonesia has repatriated 2,338 historical cultural objects from museums in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, including the Pita Maha Collection and the Lombok Treasure.
Fadli emphasized that the return of the collection represents an effort to restore the nation’s right to preserve, research, and pass on its history and cultural identity to future generations.
The Minister of Culture believes the Dutch Government welcomes continued discussions on the repatriation of historical cultural artifacts to Indonesia and is open to joint research opportunities that would strengthen the historical basis for the return of other collections. [antaranews]
