Harry Widianto, Director for the Conservation of Historical Sites and Museums
When the community is involved,conservation is more effective

Conservation is one of the best ways to keep history alive. Yet, many historical sites and ancient artifacts in Indonesia are badly preserved and neglected. Historical sites and museums conservation director at the education and culture ministry, Harry Widianto, claims that the government is doing its best to conserve these sites and artifacts. Among other things, it has restored, conserved and improved an inventory system. The government has also appointed experts to tend to historical buildings.

Last October, the government selected five of those sites and awarded them as the best conservation programs in an effort to raise the quality of conservation management. Even so, the government still has difficulty in monitoring and tending to all historical sites, which as of 2013 numbered some 66,513 and were tended to by only 2,988 conservationists. This is why, Harry said, the government is encouraging community members to be involved in conservation efforts in their respective locales. "If the effort comes from the community, it will be more effective and enduring," Harry told Tempo English reporter Isma Savitri in his office two weeks ago.