Netherlands to Return 38-Carat Banjarmasin Diamond and 19 Other Objects to Indonesia
This month, Rianne Letschert, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, and Fadli Zon, Indonesia's Minister of Culture, wrapped up an agreement to return 20 artifacts that were taken from Indonesia during the 350 years of Dutch colonial rule. Notably, one of these items is the 38-carat Banjarmasin diamond, which was once owned by the Sultan of Banjarmasin and symbolized his power. This diamond is part of a state heirloom collection and carries great cultural and economic significance for Indonesia. The return of these items was handled as a matter of government policy instead of through legal battles or holding individual museums responsible. The announcement was made on October 21, 2026, along with images from Museum Indonesia and Acehnese leader Teuku Umar.
Key facts
- The Netherlands will return 20 objects taken from Indonesia during its 350-year colonial rule
- The agreement was signed this month by Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Rianne Letschert and Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon
- The 38-carat Banjarmasin diamond once belonged to the Sultan of Banjarmasin as a symbol of his sovereignty
- The diamond was originally part of a collection of state heirlooms
- The stone holds cultural and economic value for the Indonesian people
- It was removed from Indonesia after Dutch troops used violence
- Restitution was treated as government policy rather than potential litigation or the responsibility of individual museums
- The announcement was dated October 21, 2026
Entities
Artists
- Rianne Letschert
- Fadli Zon
- Sultan of Banjarmasin
- Teuku Umar
Institutions
- Museum Indonesia
- Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
- Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
- Indonesian Ministry of Culture
Locations
- Netherlands
- Indonesia
- Banjarmasin
- East Jakarta
- Jakarta