News item | 31-03-2026 | 1:00 PM
The Netherlands returns 2 objects from the Wereldmuseum collection to Indonesia on the advice of the Colonial Collections Committee. It is a statue of the god Shiva from the 13th centurythe century and an inscribed stone known as the Prasasti Damalung. Both are in their 19sthecentury, brought from Indonesia to the Netherlands without permission. The objects go to the Museum Nasional Indonesia in Jakarta.
The signing of the transfer agreement by the Ambassador of Indonesia, Laurentius Amrih Jinangkung, and Director-General of Culture and Media, Youssef Louakili, will take place on March 31 at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).
Refund from the municipality of Rotterdam
In addition to the return of the 2 objects from the National Collection, the municipality of Rotterdam is returning a Quran from the collection of the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam to Indonesia. The Koran was captured by Dutch soldiers during looting in the house of Aceh resistance leader Teuku Umar (1854-1899).
The Colonial Collections Committee has recommended that these 3 objects be returned. This advice, based on provenance research by the Wereldmuseum, was drawn up in close consultation with Indonesian partners and fits within the policy for colonial collections.
Contribution to redress historical injustice
The Netherlands returns cultural objects that were involuntarily lost during the colonial period. Countries of origin can submit a refund request, on which the independent committee will then provide advice. The return of cultural objects from a colonial context is a contribution to the reparation of this historical injustice.
With this 4th return to Indonesia, the Netherlands is further implementing the return policy for colonial collections. In September 2025, former minister Gouke Moes decided to return the Dubois collection from Naturalis Biodiversity Center. In December 2025, the first 4 important pieces, including a skull cap, were returned to Indonesia. Work is currently underway on the further transfer of this extensive collection.
