Museum receives grants from Japan

JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese government has donated Rp 980 million (US$449,541) worth of equipment to the Jakarta textile museum to help facilitate its function as the center for textile education and information.

The donation was officially given by the Japanese ambassador Taizo Watanabe to deputy governor of Jakarta R.S. Museno in a ceremony at the museum on Jl. Jati Petamburan, West Jakarta, yesterday.

"To win public trust as a qualified center for valuable traditional textile storage and preservation the museum needs to step up its capabilities," said Watanabe.

Museno thanked the Japanese ambassador for the donation, mostly photographic and office equipment, saying that it would greatly help develop future museum programs.

"The museum has taken the right step by sending its managers abroad to study the preservation of textiles," he added.

The textile museum, which was set up in 1976, collects, preserves and displays traditional textile items from provinces in Indonesia. It also keeps files of research studies and documents on textiles.

There are around 1,000 traditional textiles from all over Indonesia in the museum along with nearly 900 waving devices.

Head of the museum, Puspita Sari W. said that the new equipment will allow them to become more active and conduct more services.

"We will open two classes on textile preservation next year for two terms," Puspita said, adding that the course will be attended by around 40 people.

She also said that in addition to government money, the museum will need additional funding to conduct its daily activities.

"Ideally we need around Rp 30 million every month to operate the museum. Unfortunately funds given by the government are not adequate," Puspita told reporters. She refused to divulge the amount provided by the government.

Puspita said that it is time the museum set up a foundation to help raise public funds. (yns)