Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Netherlands has formally agreed to return around 30,000 artifacts and historical documents to Indonesia. The moves was one of the bilateral cooperation’s between two countries in what described as a landmark decision.
The agreement was reached during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague on Friday (Sept. 26, 2025), where he was received by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
“I was warmly welcomed by the King, and the Netherlands will return 30,000 artifacts they once took from Indonesia,” Prabowo told reporters after landing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Saturday (September 27).
He called the handover a gesture of goodwill by the Netherlands to strengthen long-standing bilateral ties. One of the main items on Prabowo’s agenda was his meeting with the Dutch monarchs, where both sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed the Dutch government’s commitment to returning thousands of historical artifacts to Indonesia.
“One of the key issues discussed was the Dutch government’s pledge to repatriate 30,000 Javanese artifacts and historical items belonging to Indonesia,” Teddy said in a statement posted on the Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram account on Friday (Sept. 26, 2025).
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He noted that the collection includes a wide range of objects, such as ancient relics, fossils, and important documents. The repatriation will be coordinated by Culture Minister Fadli Zon.
“The process will likely move quickly since the Dutch King has already agreed. Talks on the return have been ongoing for some time, but thankfully, a formal agreement was reached today, and the items will soon be brought back to Indonesia,” Teddy added.
Prabowo’s visit was seen as significant not only for the substance of the talks but also for the level of respect shown. Both the King and Queen hosted the Indonesian president together, a gesture considered rare and symbolic of high regard. Following the visit, Queen Máxima announced plans to travel to Indonesia in November 2025.
(Raidi/Agung)
