Culture Ministry adds to Proclamation Text Museum collection

The Ministry of Culture has added historical collections that the public can enjoy and study at the Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, when met by ANTARA in Jakarta on Sunday, said the added collections consist of a number of artefacts and memorabilia from national figures such as Indonesia’s first vice president Mohammad Hatta, also known as Bung Hatta.

“Including Bung Hatta, yes, there is Bung Hatta’s kopiah and also several of Bung Hatta’s belongings,” he said.

The exhibition displays Merdeka magazine, published in February 1946, which contains matters relating to the Proclamation and independence, including photographs of the Proclamation as well as currency.

“This time, also in order to enliven it, we are collaborating with ANTARA and also the numismatic collector community to organise the exhibition activity that we have just seen,” said Fadli.

“Currency from the era of the war to defend independence and the Nusantara kingdoms as an inseparable part of the journey of our nation’s struggle,” he said.

Met separately, President Director of LKBN ANTARA Benny Siga Butarbutar said the collaboration was an initiative of Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, who invited ANTARA to actively participate in clarifying and affirming the role of the press, particularly the ANTARA News Agency, in Indonesian culture and history.

ANTARA is not only a witness to history but also an actor in history, because the photographs produced by ANTARA journalists have recorded Indonesia’s historical journey, including abroad.

“So from the beginning, the world of the press and journalism has remained connected to the historical role of the founding of this republic. Journalism and Indonesia cannot be separated,” said Benny.

Benny also explained the historical photographs produced by ANTARA journalists. According to him, the photographs were once hidden or buried underground to save them from being confiscated by the Japanese army.

He also emphasised that the connection between ANTARA, journalism, and Indonesian history will continue to be strengthened in the future, because a news agency must have a reason to continue living and carrying out its role together with the Indonesian nation and state.

“In the future, it will continue to be emphasised because ANTARA was established long before this Republic existed, so that historical role will remain and will involve ANTARA,” said Benny.