Fadli Zon Calls for Digitalization of Historical Museum Collection Inventories

RRI.CO.ID, Geneva – Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has called for greater digitalization of historical museum collection inventories in Indonesia as part of efforts to improve the management and preservation of collection data. He made the statement during a visit to the Musée d’ethnographie de Genève (MEG) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of his working visit.

The Musée d’ethnographie de Genève (MEG) is an ethnographic museum established in 1901, with collections documenting cultural diversity around the world, including collections from Indonesia originating from Papua, Kalimantan, Java, and other parts of the Indonesian archipelago.

Fadli welcomed MEG’s practice of digitizing historical inventory registers for its collections dating from 1867 to 1993. He said such documentation was important in helping the public better understand the history, origins, context, and journey of each collection.

“Collection documentation is a form of data preservation that can be used for various purposes, including research, development, conservation, and utilization,” Fadli said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

He said MEG’s experience could serve as a reference for developing collection documentation systems at museums in Indonesia. Integrated data management, he added, could support a sustainable museum ecosystem while expanding public access to knowledge for current and future generations.

The visit was also part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy and build networks with museums around the world, including opportunities for cooperation in research, knowledge exchange, digitalization, and cultural heritage protection.

Fadli was accompanied during the visit by Director General of Cultural Heritage Protection and Traditions Restu Gunawan, Expert Staff to the Minister for Legal Affairs and Cultural Policy Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri, and Special Staff to the Minister for Protocol and Household Affairs Rachmanda Primayuda.