NGO seeks punishment for cultural heritage offenders

YOGYAKARTA: Activists are proposing that the future law on cultural heritage mandates harsh punishment for offenders.

The Society for the Advocacy for Cultural Heritage said Sunday the current law did not outline punishments for people who damage cultural heritage.

"The bill should specify punishment for people who damage, steal, vandalize or trade in objects of cultural heritage," said the Society's chirman Johannes Marbun as quoted by Antara.

"The provisions should apply to every citizen, be they government officials guilty by omission, or ordinary people."

Marbun said another crucial issue that had not yet been included in the bill is the authority of local governments in the protection of cultural heritage.

"What often happens nowadays is the central and local governments blame each other for the loss of cultural heritage." - JP