TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Consulate General in New York signed an agreement with the U.S. government for the return of three Indonesian cultural heritage artifacts on Tuesday, June 17. This was announced by Renita Moniaga, a counselor at the Directorate of America 1 in Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Just yesterday, three more cultural artifacts from the Asmat, Dayak, and Batak tribes were repatriated by the New York Attorney General's Office to the Indonesian government through our consulate in New York," Renita said during a discussion on artifact repatriation and cultural diplomacy at the @america Jakarta, Wednesday.
According to information from the New York Consulate General, the artifacts include an Asmat war shield, a Klebit Bok from the Kayan Dayak tribe, and a Batak Tunggal Panaluan. These items were seized as smuggled goods intended for sale in the U.S. market.
The combined estimated value of the three artifacts is US$21,750, equivalent to roughly Rp354 million.
The handover ceremony took place at the New York County District Attorney's Office in Manhattan, attended by members of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit and representatives from the Indonesian Consulate General.
The war shield, Klebit Bok (Klebit traditional shield), and Tunggal Panaluan (traditional wooden staff) were confiscated as part of a smuggling case handled by the New York County District Attorney's Office since 2011. For now, the artifacts are stored at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, awaiting their return to Indonesia.
Renita noted that the repatriation process is pending the right timing and coordination with the Ministry of Culture to return these artifacts alongside other cultural items slated for repatriation. "They will definitely be returned to Indonesia, but we're still waiting for the right moment," she said.
In a related development, on December 13, 2024, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono handed over six suspected cultural heritage objects, successfully repatriated from the United States, to Culture Minister Fadli Zon.
Most of these items were statues. "However, one was a stone relief from the Majapahit era, estimated to be worth nearly half a million US dollars," Renita added.
Editor’s Choice: Archaeologist: 'Borobudur Stairlift Proof of Sustainable Development is Just Jargon'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Archaeologist: 'Borobudur Stairlift Proof of Sustainable Development is Just Jargon'
3 jam lalu
The installation of a portable stairlift at Borobudur Temple was carried out to accommodate the visit of President Prabowo and President Macron on May 29, 2025.
Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard's Ties with Trump Sour as US Considers Iran Options
4 jam lalu
Director of US Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard opposes Trump's intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict.
Senator Ted Cruz Admits US Assisting Israel to Attack Iran
1 hari lalu
A senator from the United States named Ted Cruz unintentionally admitted that the US is assisting Israel in attacking Iran.
Israel Kills At Least 70 Palestinians at US Aid Site in Gaza
1 hari lalu
Israeli forces killed at least 70 Palestinians and injured hundreds as they sought aid at the United States aid center in Gaza on Tuesday.
US Embassy in Israel to Close Amid Rising Tensions in the Middle East
1 hari lalu
The United States (US) Embassy in Israel will be closed from Wednesday, June 18, 2025, until Friday, June 20, 2025
Best New York Street Art: 10 Incredible Places to Visit
1 hari lalu
Explore the 10 must-visit spots to experience New York's street art, where walls come alive with vibrant, inspiring murals and graffiti.
US House Speaker Postpones Visit to Israel Due to Iran-Israel Tensions
2 hari lalu
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson stated that his visit to Israel has been postponed 'due to the complicated situation happening in Iran and Israel'.
Trump Denies US Involvement in Israel's Attack on Iran
3 hari lalu
President of the United States (US) Donald Trump responded to Iran's accusations regarding US involvement in Israel's attack.
Trump Vetoes Israel's Plan to Kill Iran's Supreme Leader, US Officials Claim
3 hari lalu
Two US officials claim President Donald Trump vetoed Israel's plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As Ties with US Sour, India Needs to Rejig Foreign Policy
4 hari lalu
India has to be wary of US interests drowning its own. US has always been predatory power which embeds itself in regional conflicts to gain from them.
