Royal cemeteries declared closed

Royal cemeteries declared closed

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Cemeteries containing the graves of
royalty and respected Muslim ulemas, which have been registered
as historical sites, should no longer be used, a noted local
archeologist said.

Muhammad Muttalib, a former head of the South and Southeast
Sulawesi office of historical relics, said descendants of the
royalties continued to use these cemeteries in violation of a
bylaw declaring them protected.

Any exception must have the approval of the Directorate
General of Culture at the Ministry of National Education in
Jakarta, Muhammad said.

The Gowa royal cemetery near the Katangka Mosque and the
cemeteries of the Binamu and Bantaeng royalties continue to be
used by their descendants, he said. (04)