Rotterdam to help work on museums

JAKARTA (JP): Following up an earlier agreement, the visiting mayor of Rotterdam Ivo W. Opstelten said he planned to support the preservation of Jakarta's historical sites, especially its museums.

"Some experts, including the directors of historical and maritime museums of Rotterdam, will come to Jakarta and give advice (on this matter)," Opstelten said Saturday during a visit to historical buildings here.

Rotterdam is one of Jakarta's several sister cities.

Apart from Rotterdam, the Amsterdam administration is also supporting work on museums, such as by providing training on museum management.

On Saturday, head of the City Museum and Preservation Agency, Robert P. Silalahi, said several of his staff would be sent to Rotterdam for training related to museum-related technology and management.

Head of the Jakarta Historical Museum, Tinia Budiarti, praised Rotterdam's support for historical conservation in the city. Since 1986, the city has focused on upgrading Jakarta's infrastructure, including river and waste management.

Tinia said the program with Rotterdam could provide useful comparisons, for instance, with the layout of its exhibition rooms and conservation technologies.

During his one-day visit, the mayor and his entourage visited Sunda Kelapa Port, the Maritime Museum, the Fish Market, the Jakarta Historical Museum, the Puppet Museum and the Arts and Ceramic Museum. (07)