Historical sites under threat

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Dozens of the 88 historical sites across the province are under serious threat, a senior local official said yesterday.

Kasdi A, head of the provincial office in charge of museums, history and archeology, said the sites are not properly maintained due to a lack of personnel.

The 51 maintenance employees can manage only 39 sites, Kasdi said, as quoted by Antara.

"Another major problem is our lack of vehicles; we are unable to reach the more isolated sites," he said.

People ignorant of the meaning of historical sites have dug up and ruined structures to look for artifacts which they then sell.

The most threatened sites are those in Kutai, the location of the fifth-century Kutai Kartanegara kingdom, and Muara Wahau, according to Kasdi.

In Bulungan, people illegally dig for Chinese porcelain, he said.

Anyone convicted of violating the 1992 law on the preservation of historical sites faces 10 years imprisonment and/or a Rp 100 million (US$43,000) fine. (pan)