Indonesia has received three valued cultural artifacts from the US State of New York that were confiscated in a smuggling case and are currently awaiting repatriation.
The three cultural artifacts belonging to the Asmat, Dayak, and Batak ethnic groups were handed over by the Attorney General of New York, according to Renita Moniaga, Counsellor at the First Directorate for America at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign.
During a public discussion on cultural diplomacy on Wednesday, Moniaga explained that the artifacts included an Asmat war shield, a Kayan Dayak war shield, and a Batak ceremonial staff, which were smuggled for trade in US markets.
She stated that the three items were confiscated by the New York authorities under a smuggling investigation ongoing since 2011.
Moniaga noted that the Indonesian Consulate General in New York received the three artifacts, whose values are estimated at US$21,700, from the New York County District Attorney on June 17.
She remarked that the artifacts currently stored at the Consulate General office were awaiting repatriation to Indonesia, which requires coordination with the Cultural Ministry, along with other artifacts recovered from the US.
"The artifacts will be returned to Indonesia, but we are waiting for the right time," the diplomat stated.
The return of the three artifacts followed Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono's handover of six objects "suspected of being cultural heritage" repatriated from the United States to Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in December 2024.
Regarding the items returned in December, she said that most were sculptures.
"However, one of the objects was a relief stone from the Majapahit era whose value was estimated to reach almost US$500,000," Moniaga added.
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Translator: Katriana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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