“Ancient manuscripts are invaluable sources of information that capture the traces of culture, knowledge, customs, and noble values that have developed within society,” expert staff for general administration at the Kutai Kartanegara District Secretariat, Heldiansyah, said in Tenggarong on Friday.
He added that the manuscripts can allow the local community to understand the roots of their culture and identity.
For this reason, their preservation is the shared responsibility of all elements of society.
Given its rich history and culture, Kutai Kartanegara has numerous ancient manuscripts found across diverse sources such as royal archives, customary institutions, and private collections.
Many of these manuscripts, Heldiansyah noted, have yet to be properly documented. Some are showing signs of deterioration and are at risk of being lost if not preserved soon. Through digitization, these works can be protected for posterity.
The central government’s strong commitment to the preservation of ancient manuscripts is evident in several laws and regulations, he said.
One of them is Law Number 43 of 2007 on Libraries, which mandates the preservation of library materials, including ancient manuscripts.
Another is the National Library Regulation Number 9 of 2024 on the Preservation of Ancient Manuscripts, which provides more detailed technical guidelines on proper preservation methods.
Based on these regulations, the district government has held several awareness campaigns on ancient manuscript preservation.
These included a recent event entitled “Caring for Manuscripts, Caring for the Archipelago,” which focused on increasing public participation in storing, maintaining, preserving, and registering ancient texts.
According to Heldiansyah, the campaign is an important first step for building collective awareness on the importance of preserving ancient manuscripts.
It also aims to foster synergy among the government, communities, academics, and stakeholders in protecting their documentary heritage.
“Digitization and conservation of ancient manuscripts are vital so that younger generations can learn about their nation’s history and use it as a foundation for building a future rooted in culture and character,” he said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Arie Novarina
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