Minister confirms art theft
JAKARTA (JP): The government confirmed yesterday the theft of a number of valuable Indonesian paintings from the National Museum, including two masterpieces withdrawn Friday by international auction house Christie's from its October sale in Singapore.
The theft took place a month ago and was believed to involve members of staff at the museum, according to Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro.
He said: "The stolen paintings have been withdrawn by Christie's from its auction house."
It was the first official statement issued by the government since the news of the theft, categorized as part of the national collection, was broken by some local media late last week.
Wardiman gave no details about the other titles or the precise number of paintings stolen from the museum, which is under the supervision of the minister's office.
According to reliable sources, at least six paintings by world-renowned Indonesian masters, such as Raden Sarief Bustaman Saleh, better-known as Raden Saleh, Affandi and Raden Basoeki Abdullah have been taken.
Police records show that the theft was only reported by museum staffer Kolam Sardjono on Sept. 12.
However, the theft was hidden from the public by the museum until art curators were amazed to see Christie's catalog for the Oct. 6 auction feature two paintings by Indonesian masters previously thought to be in the National Museum here.
Local media first reported the theft Friday, despite no official comment from the authorities.
Shortly after a long meeting the same day, Christie's International Singapore Pte. Ltd. announced that the two paintings, A Nude, completed in 1992, by Basoeki Abdullah and Portrait of a Dutch Governor Wearing the Willems Order, completed in 1867, by Raden Saleh, were withdrawn from its upcoming auction.
However, there is no further explanation about the hasty withdrawal or the current whereabouts of the paintings.
Minister Wardiman criticized the media for disturbing the investigation to arrest the thieves.
"The reports have made the investigation more difficult. That's why I asked the press not to magnify the case," he said.
The minister said that any dishonest museum employees might have had a double motivation; the poor security system and their low pay.
"The museum employees are state employees. Therefore, they have the same level of salary earned by other state employees," said Wardiman.
Consequently the temptation to steal the precious items could have become stronger, he said.
The salary of middle-rank state employees ranges from Rp 250,000 to Rp 500,000 (US$106 to $212) per month. The price of the each painting is hundreds of millions of rupiah.
The National Museum, located on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta, has recorded a number of thefts of a wide range of national treasure from its collection.
National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said Sunday in Batam Island, Riau, that the police have questioned a number of people regarding the recent theft of the paintings.
The three-star general also said that the Indonesian police have asked the local police in Singapore, through Interpol, to help investigate the stolen paintings.
In another related development yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Joop Ave called on Christie's to cooperate with Indonesia to arrest the suspects. (bsr/icn)
Editorial -- Page 4
Mystery -- Page 7