VIVAnews - The development of a Trowulan (or Majapahit) Information Center in an area of 2,190 square meters at the Majapahit Museum complex, Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java, is put on hold. However, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, said that the project has a noble objective.
"President Yudhoyono proposed for the project in 2004 aiming at reviving the nation's civilization," said Wacik on Wednesday, Jan 14. Wacik quoted Yudhoyono that there are three pillars that a nation should posses: autonomy, competition and civilization. The Trowulan project, he said, is concerned with civilization.
In addition, Yudhoyono asked Wacik to preserve the area. "There are problems in the area. People take bricks everyday [from the site]. [The President] demanded that the site is preserved," Wacik claimed.
However, Jero Wacik denied that the project has anything to do with the 2009 Elections. "It is not a political issue," he said. The project has been planned since 2004. It was only implemented in 2008 because the House of Representatives (DPR) approved the budget in 2008.
Of the proposed budget of Rp 25 billion (approx. US$2.24 million), DPR only accepted Rp 3 billion (approx. US$269,000). "We tried hard to get the budget. DPR wasn't concerned with cultural preservation," said Jero Wacik. He went on to say that it is a long-term project which is estimated to be completed by 2012.
With regard to archaeologists' protests that the project would on the contrary ruin a historical site, Wacik said that it had to do with execution errors. "I understand why the archaeologists were upset with the project. It was because of the wrong execution. I was also furious that day and directly stopped the project," he said.
For the time being, he said, the Department of Tourism is seeking a way out to solve the matter, including possible relocation of the project. Wacik then explained that the spot was chosen because it belonged to the Department. "It is possible to build in another location. But land acquisition is required," he said.
Earlier, Jero Wacik said that Majapahit Park is a project to integrate the sites of Majapahit heritage in Trowulan. It is aimed at saving the sites as well as the cultural artifacts.
Nonetheless, archaeologists pointed out that the government violated the Law for corrupting a historical site.
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono
Justin Hubner Gabung, Waktunya Indonesia U-23 Mati-matian Raih Kemenangan
Justin Hubner menambah kekuatan Indonesia U-23 di Piala Asia U-23 2024. Dia datang menyusul ke Qatar usai mendapatkan izin dari klubnya, Cerezo Osaka.
