[MSN] Indonesia demands historic stone back

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Indonesia demands historic stone back

By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

AN ANCIENT Indonesian carving given to a British diplomat almost 200 years
ago as a gift has become the latest relic involved in intricate discussions
about its repatriation.
Government ministers in Jakarta have confirmed they are negotiating for the
return of the four-tonne Minto Stone, on which is carved in ancient script
of the history of the island of Java.

It has been part of the Minto family estate near Hawick, Roxburghshire,
since 1812, after it was given to the 1st Earl of Minto by explorer Stamford
Raffles, and is now overseen by the family's Minto Trust.

Repatriation has increasingly become a major issue in Scotland after
ministers called for the return of the Lewis Chessmen from the British
Museum.

Nine Maori heads held by Marischal Museum at the University of Aberdeen were
returned to New Zealand last year. And last month, the National Museum of
Scotland announced it would return an aboriginal skull to Tasmania.

There is no legal requirement for the repatriation of items that are not
human remains. In Indonesia last week, officials said the stone - known as
the Sanggurah Stone or Batu Minto - was an important historical artefact and
belonged in the capital's national museum.

And last night, the 7th Earl of Minto, Timothy George Lariston
Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, confirmed discussions were continuing with the
Indonesian government.

But the father of four, 55, who heads stationery firm Paperchase, denied the
issue had been dragging on for a long time. He confirmed: "We have received
an approach from a representative of the Indonesian government and we are
prepared to continue discussions." The Minto Stone was carved in AD982. It
was taken from its site near the town of Malang in East Java by Stamford
Raffles after he became governor of Java in 1811. He gained the post thanks
to the patronage of Gilbert Elliot, the 1st Earl of Minto, and gave him the
stone in thanks.

But the monolith is considered a valuable record of the Javanese kingdom of
Mataram, which grew to power between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Last week, Hadi Untoro Drajat, of the Indonesian culture and tourism
ministry, said: "We are in negotiations to return the Sanggurah Stone back
to Indonesia. It is an important historical artefact. Upon its return, it
will be placed in the national museum in Jakarta.

"The Indonesian government has been attempting to secure the return of the
artefact since 2004, but government-to-government negotiations have proven
difficult because the relic is currently in the custodianship of Minto
trustees."

Hashim Djojohadikusumo, an art dealer
who was caught with five antique statues in his home last November but never
charged, said he was negotiating the return of the Minto Stone. He said:
"The Indonesian government has a policy of not paying for the return of
ancient artefacts, but we are ready to cover the transfer costs and
compensation to the Minto Trust. So far, it hasn't determined the amount.
The Minto Trust are willing to discuss it in a family meeting."

And he added: "The Minto Stone is a heritage that has been handed down for
generations."

Theft of ancient artefacts is said to be rife in Indonesia, home to ruins of
Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms that flourished from the seventh century onward.

Also, at one point, there was a Minto family museum of historic items held
in Fatlips Castle on Minto Crags, near Jedburgh in the Borders. But they
were all removed after the site was plagued by continuing vandalism.

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