Jakarta, Indonesia Senitnel — Protests that erupted on Saturday, August 30, 2025, left a trail of destruction at several museums and heritage sites across Indonesian cities, with incidents of looting and arson causing significant damage and the loss of historic collections.
In Kediri, East Java, the Bagawanta Bhari Museum was among the worst hit. Several key artifacts were reported missing, including a Ganesha statue head, traditional batik textiles, and rare manuscripts. A miniature rice barn was also badly damaged.
“The Ministry of Culture deeply regrets this incident,” Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in an official statement on Tuesday, September 2.
He added that the government is coordinating with local authorities, law enforcement, and museum managers to secure sites and speed up recovery efforts.
Some invaluable items, including a Bodhisattva statue and inscribed ritual bricks, were saved by cultural preservation staff.
Historic Sites in Surabaya Set Ablaze
In Surabaya, acts of vandalism targeted heritage buildings. The Tegalsari Police Station on Basuki Rahmat Street and a wing of Grahadi State Building on Gubernur Suryo Street were set on fire by unidentified groups at around 9:45 p.m. local time on Saturday.
Both sites are recognized as cultural heritage landmarks. Tegalsari Police Station, built in 1924 in tropical colonial style, retained much of its original structure, including a rear bunker. The burned Grahadi wing, dating back to 1789, is a nationally protected building influenced by French architecture.
“History That Cannot Be Restored”
Surabaya historian Kuncarsono Prasetyo lamented the loss, saying that while the buildings can be restored with photos and technical notes, their original historical value is gone forever.
“The historical essence is diminished. We won’t find the same original wooden structures or architectural details, even if reconstruction tries to replicate them,” he told Kompas.com on Sunday.
He stressed that the public must recognize such sites as collective heritage, while urging security forces to distinguish between peaceful protest and violent unrest.
Call for Artifact Return and Stronger Protection
Minister Zon also appealed for the return of missing Bagawanta Bhari Museum artifacts to the regional cultural preservation office or directly to the museum.
“A museum is not only a collection space, but also a symbol of society’s collective memory. Any act of vandalism is a tremendous loss to the nation,” he said.
The ministry pledged to continue monitoring the situation and ensure museums resume their role as centers of learning and cultural preservation.
In response, Surabaya’s heritage activists are preparing a petition demanding stronger protections for Indonesia’s cultural landmarks.
(Raidi/Agung)
