RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has affirmed that strengthening cooperation on the repatriation of Indonesian cultural artifacts was one of the key agendas discussed during President Prabowo Subianto's meeting with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel in Jakarta.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, said the repatriation of cultural artifacts from the United States is the result of close cooperation among Indonesian ministries and agencies, the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Government, particularly the FBI.

"The repatriation of cultural artifacts from the United States is the result of cooperation among Indonesian ministries and agencies, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Government, particularly the FBI, in combating the smuggling and illegal trafficking of cultural property," Nabyl said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

According to him, the cooperation is not new. Indonesia has long worked with various countries to recover cultural and historical artifacts that were illegally smuggled abroad. Regarding the details of the repatriated artifacts, he said further information would be provided by the relevant ministries and agencies.

Earlier, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon revealed that FBI Director Kash Patel personally handed over a number of Indonesian cultural artifacts to President Prabowo Subianto during a courtesy visit in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The handover was part of the repatriation cooperation between the Government of Indonesia and the FBI.

According to Fadli, the returned artifacts originate from Papua and include cultural heritage items belonging to the Dani and Asmat communities, as well as communities in the Lake Sentani region. The artifacts hold significant historical value and represent an important part of Indonesia's cultural identity.

He added that the FBI has previously assisted Indonesia in recovering stolen cultural objects, including bronze statues and artifacts from several historical sites. The Indonesian government hopes to further strengthen its cooperation with the FBI on the repatriation and restitution of cultural property.

The government plans to exhibit the repatriated artifacts at the National Museum as part of efforts to preserve Indonesia's cultural heritage while enhancing public understanding of the nation's history and cultural identity.