Prabowo, FBI Director Discuss Return of Illegally Smuggled Cultural Artifacts

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held discussions with US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel regarding efforts to repatriate Indonesian cultural artifacts that were illegally smuggled out of the country. The meeting took place at President Prabowo's private residence in Kertanegara, Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/7). Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that during the meeting, Director Patel officially handed over cultural artifacts as part of the cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and the FBI. These items were illegally smuggled into the United States. "And officially, he also brought cultural artifacts which are a collaboration between the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Culture and the FBI, namely the return of cultural objects, cultural artifacts, that were illegally smuggled into the United States. After provenance research or origin research was conducted, these items were then returned and brought directly by Mr. Kash Patel to President Prabowo Subianto," said Fadli Zon in a press release on Thursday (23/7). Fadli Zon explained that the returned artifacts originate from Papua, specifically the cultural heritage of the Dani tribe, the Asmat tribe, and the Danau tribe in the Sentani Lake area. He conveyed that these items possess very high historical and cultural value for Indonesia. "I think these are very valuable items because this repatriation process is an effort for us to restore our cultural sovereignty," he said. Fadli Zon also stated that the cooperation between Indonesia and the FBI in returning cultural objects has been ongoing. The FBI has previously assisted in the return of various important Indonesian artifacts, including bronze statues and artifacts from several cultural sites. Fadli also stated that the return of these cultural artifacts is part of the government's commitment to restoring national cultural sovereignty and enriching public knowledge of the nation's historical heritage. These artifacts will later be exhibited at the National Museum for the public to enjoy and study. "And we will certainly exhibit this, we will display this at the National Museum," said Fadli. Information source: CNN Indonesia