There are 817 collections affected, we are still assessing the damage…Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has decided to renovate the National Museum following a fire on September 16, 2023, which affected 817 collections at the museum.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy, said that his ministry has coordinated with the Directorate General of Culture and the Ministry of Education, Cultural, Research, and Technology regarding the revitalization of the museum.
"We are trying to revitalize it, preserve it so that its maintenance is adjusted to current and international standards," he informed in a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.
During a visit to the museum, Effendy said that there were still police lines installed around the fire-affected sites, so he could not directly inspect which room and objects had been affected.
However, he said, there are hundreds of historical collections being identified and cleaned for the initial conservation stage.
"There are 817 collections affected, we are still assessing the damage, from heavily to lightly damaged," Effendy informed.
He suggested that the museum create a connected system with the fire department during the revitalization so that when a fire occurs, there will be no need to make a telephone call, instead it would be identified immediately and dealt with quickly.
The revitalization, he said, is necessary as part of the museum's modernization in accordance with international standards, which have been implemented by many developed countries, considering that museums are vital buildings and must be protected.
"It is necessary for the modernization regarding methods and tools to prevent fire incidents like this and other (incidents)," he added.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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