Fadli Zon Proposes Ancient Muna Rock Art as Icon for Southeast Sulawesi Museum
Culture Minister (Menbud) Fadli Zon has proposed that the managers of the Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) Museum install a replica of the Liang Metanduno rock paintings from Muna Regency on the museum’s ceiling or walls as an icon to attract visitors.
“The front room of the Sultra Museum could be the place for the replica of that ancient cave painting. Going forward, we can discuss together how to realise it,” said Minister Fadli Zon during a working visit to the Sultra Museum in Kendari on Saturday.
Minister Fadli Zon revealed that the replica of the rock paintings, estimated to be 67,800 years old, could become a strong identity for the Sultra Museum.
The presence of the rock painting replica, he said, is expected to broaden the museum’s visitor segmentation, encompassing not only students but also the general public, domestic tourists and foreign visitors.
Based on research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) together with a number of universities at home and abroad, including Griffith University and Southern Cross University in Australia, Fadli said Sultra is recognised as having the oldest rock paintings in the world.
The finding, he continued, serves as authentic evidence that the land of Southeast Sulawesi holds the traces of a very ancient civilisation, whilst also being a cultural asset of great value.
“This means civilisation in Sultra is very old indeed. This is a cultural treasure of great importance,” said Minister Fadli Zon.
Regarding the budget, the Culture Minister explained that the central government is committed to supporting the development of regional museums through non-physical Special Allocation Funds (DAK).
As for physical construction, the Minister encouraged synergistic collaboration between regional governments and the private sector so that financing would not burden either the state budget (APBN) or regional budget (APBD) entirely.
“One of the things we need to improve is museums and cultural parks as centres of sustainable cultural activity,” said Minister Fadli Zon.