Museum head irked by poor generosity

JAMBI: The head of the Jambi Museum, Wijaya, complained yesterday that many people in the province were reluctant to donate historical items to his institution or place them in the collection for safekeeping.

Wijaya said most owners regarded the antiques -- including ceramics, swords, ancient documents and statues -- as sacred artifacts which should not be given to others.

He recollected how a Muara Madras villager in Bungo Tebo regency refused to hand over an old letter to the museum recently despite its historical importance.

Wijaya believes the document is several centuries' old and contains a border agreement between Bungo Tebo, Kerinci and Muko Muko regencies.

"We will provide some compensation to those who voluntarily give us their historic belongings," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Dating back to the 9th century, the museum's collection includes a a dorak ceramic from Persia and a Japanese cup from the 19th century. (prb)