He stated that the waters of the Riau Islands are home to many valuable underwater sites that require careful consideration.
According to Zon, 60 percent of Indonesia's submerged shipwreck sites are in the Riau Islands, which are scattered across Natuna, Batam, and Bintan.
"Submerged shipwreck artifacts represent potential underwater cultural heritage that can be managed and utilized," Zon remarked during a visit to the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) IV in Tanjungpinang City.
He reminded that any utilization of those artifacts must adhere to regulations, given the moratorium on removing submerged shipwreck artifacts.
Zon emphasized the need for the Ministry of Culture and other stakeholders to preserve and utilize underwater cultural heritage items optimally and sustainably, particularly given their abundance.
"It can be utilized to enhance the economy or revenue for the state," he stated.
On that occasion, he stated that the Ministry of Culture, being relatively new, requires hard work and additional efforts due to the vast array of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites across the country.
Zon remarked that Indonesia has 228 national cultural heritage sites, with two located in the Riau Islands: Penyengat Island and the Tomb of Sultan Mahmud Riayat Syah.
Furthermore, there are 2,213 national intangible cultural heritage items, with 89 originating from the Riau Islands.
"We also nominate the Mak Yong Theater from Riau Islands as an intangible cultural heritage to UNESCO," he noted.
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Translator: Ogen, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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