Museum receives grants from Japan

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)